A decision to ban turban-wearing Sikh kids from Quebec soccer fields was loudly condemned Tuesday by the federal government. Conservative ministers weighed in on a provincial sports-association decision that has attracted coverage from some major international media. They criticized the Quebec Soccer Federations decision to uphold its ban and demanded that the association let turban-wearing kids play. The federation has stood pat on its decision, and dismissed criticism that the move was racist and intolerant. It said the policy was based on concern for player safety. But the countrys actual public safety minister wasnt buying it. "Telling 5 year old kids they cant play soccer because of bogus safety excuses is not acceptable in any province," Vic Toews tweeted Monday. The federal government next voiced its displeasure on several fronts Tuesday, including in the House of Commons. Bal Gosal, the minister of state for sport, denounced the ban and called for the federation to change its position. "We believe that amateur sports like soccer should encourage the participation of children rather than exclude them," Gosal said. "We see no valid reason why kids should be banned from playing soccer because of their religion." The federal reaction was far more vigorous than it was under comparable circumstances a few years ago. When a Quebec taekwondo meet expelled Muslim girls with hijabs in 2007, the federal Conservatives went out of their way to avoid commenting. At the time, minister Jason Kenney rushed up a staircase to avoid commenting. This time, the immigration minister was adding his voice to the chorus of condemnation. "A sport such as soccer should encourage children to participate, and not exclude them because of their religious traditions," Kenney tweeted in French. A day earlier, the Quebec association had held a news conference to explain its policy but struggled to provide any evidence or studies that turbans present a risk on the field. Brigitte Frot, the director-general of the provincial group, was asked what she would tell a five-year-old boy in a turban who shows up to register to play soccer with his friends. She replied: "They can play in their backyard. But not with official referees, not in the official rules of soccer. They have no choice." The move ignores a non-binding directive from the Canadian Soccer Association, which has called for provincial associations to allow turbans by extending an existing rule that allows Islamic hijabs for girls. Quebec is the only province that has balked at the directive. That means as many as 200 Sikh soccer players will remain on the sidelines because the federation refuses to allow them on the field with turbans, patkas and keskis -- the religious headgear worn by Sikh men and boys. Practising Sikhs believe they must cover their hair with a turban. Fellow Conservative MP Parm Gill said Monday that hed written letters to the three main stakeholders -- the Canadian and Quebec federations, as well as FIFA, soccers governing body. In those letters, he condemned the ban and requested a compromise to get kids back on the pitch. The Opposition New Democrats say theyve already urged FIFA to clarify its policy on turbans and have not heard back. "If they (FIFA) would get their act in gear and respond, everyone would be able to move forward with this," said sports critic Matthew Dube. Dube wouldnt weigh in on the safety issue and said it wasnt up to politicians to tell provincial associations how to conduct their affairs. A quick ruling from the governing body would resolve everything, he added. While the NDP was taking a more nuanced position, the Liberals Justin Trudeau was, like the Tories, more squarely in favour of overturning the ban. "Wearing a turban shouldnt stop you from playing soccer or participating fully in any other activity," he tweeted, in both official languages. "The (federation) must drop its ban now." FIFAs media department offered an email following a request for comment on the Quebec issue. In July 2012, FIFA declared Muslim hijabs were okay and spelled out a temporary trial period. It also approved designs for headscarves specifically suited for the pitch and established rules for their use. Quebec followed suit in March 2013. FIFA has not explicitly added turbans to its policy -- at least not yet. "Any amendment to Law 4 - The Players Equipment in this regard would be made only on conclusion of the trial period in March 2014," FIFA said in its email.
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Britton Colquitt Jersey . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. Yes I know numerous New Zealand rugby supporters take delight in ridiculing their Australian counterparts... and it can be so mind numbing.The Kiwi baiting has continued for some time, leading to a rugby inferiority complex this side of the Tasman; not surprising considering Australia has not sighted the Bledisloe Cup for 14 seasons.Painful as it is to admit, Australia still must give thanks to New Zealand this season for at least making the revamped Super Rugby tournament watchable, enjoyable at times.We even should not quibble if any of the New Zealand teams which have made the Super Rugby quarterfinals go on to win the title. It would be the right outcome, because the New Zealand conference has quality wise been by far the best of the four.For those who follow the Australian provinces, this seasons competition has been a tough ride.If just working out the logistics of a flawed and lopsided tournament format was bewildering enough, adding to the confusion was the dismal form of those in the Australian conference.A once confident, exuberant brand of rugby has become hesitant, lacking in intelligence and relying more on hope than instinct, to the extent that the winner of the Australian conference- the Brumbies- stumbled instead of marched their way into the finals.The Brumbies, while industrious, are not the team of enlightenment they once were. Solid rather than spectacular. Cautious rather than creative. They survive another week, but are spluttering. Even the benefit of hosting a final in Canberra on Friday night is not likely to be enough of an advantage against a special Highlanders outfit who could easily successfully defend their title.The figureheads of Australian Rugby- such as national coach Michael Cheika are making the necessary rallying the troops messages at the moment by arguing that it is not all doom and gloom. It is still impossible to avoid the fact that the fodder provided by the five Australian provinces over the past few months has often been dire.In a season where two of the provincial coaches- Richard Graham and Michael Foley- were replaced during the season and the Australian Rugby Union had to prop up several financially struggling provinces- its hardly startling that Australian teams have sometimes appeared distracted.With the talent spread too thinly across the five Australian provinces, it has led to numerous substandard matches, and late in the season when injuries took its toll, round 16 turned nightmarish when Australian teams were roundly humiliated by New Zealand sides in all four encounters- losing by a collective 140 points.The last round was a little more encouraging, with Rebels backrower Sean McMahon enlivening the match against thee Reds by showing what actually can happen if someone has the courage to takes risks and the Waratahs pack providing some menace against the Blues.dddddddddddd.But this was countered by constant elementary errors in either game and that the Waratahs over the final two rounds badly wasted their opportunity to make the finals through poor finishing and average options.In another disconcerting sign for Australian Rugby, just two years after winning the Super Rugby title, the Waratahs have collapsed to tenth spot.Thankfully we have been able to watch the New Zealand local derbies to revive our faith in rugby, and remind us that when played properly, it can still enlighten and invigorate.Unlike the Australian conference, where the low skill level and predictable coaching methods were often exposed, the New Zealand matches have constantly been of the highest standard because the players are willing to trust their own abilities.Their skill set and level of fitness is exceptional, leading to a succession of high intensity games played at a frenetic rate, often with virtually no interruption. More often than not when under pressure they do not make mistakes. They instead lift.New Zealand coaches also trust their players to allow them to try something different and seize the moment, which has prompted numerous memorable individual performances.With this has come a constant stream of standout games- as good as anything witnessed at the top level in recent times. It doesnt get much better than what the Highlanders and Chiefs offered in Dunedin on Saturday night, which involved endless highlights, in particular the home team winger Waisake Naholos leap of faith that enabled him to score one of the best tries of the season.This followed a mighty performance by the Hurricanes in Christchurch, where through the ingenuity of such vast talents as their All Black five-eighth Beauden Barrett they succeeded in a bonus-point triumph over the Crusaders that saw them unexpectedly finish on top of the ladder.And so four New Zealand teams are in the finals to Australias paltry one.Even though a competition structure, which is stacked in favour of the South African conference, makes it difficult for the Crusaders and Chiefs to continue on as they are respectively off to Johannesburg and Cape Town for their finals match, they should never be under-estimated. Its again about faith. They dont get hung up about hardships.As for the Hurricanes and Highlanders, you really cannot complain if they continue on, as those with initiative who want to entertain deserve just rewards. ' ' '
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