Patka Explained

For other uses see Patka (disambiguation).

Patka is a Sikh headgear in lieu of the full Sikh turban. It is worn by young Sikh boys to cover a small topknot called joora.^[1]

Patka is usually a square piece of cloth with four strings attached at the corners for tying.^[2]

Patka in sports

A different way of wearing a patka is used by sportsmen: covering the head but not tying the joora.^{[3] [4]}

In 2014 there was a row with FIBA about two Sikh Indian players, Amritpal Singh and Amjyot Singh wearing patkas during the FIBA Asia Cup.^[5] In 2017 FIBA lifted the patka ban.^[6] In 2018 Indian wrestler Jashkawar Gill was denied the participation in a tournament in Turkey for his refusal to replace his patka with a women-style tying of hair allowed by the United World Wrestling rules.^[7]

See also

• Rumāl
• Bandana
• Patka helmet

Notes and References

1. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/patka-box-1.6782198# Ontario woman creates 'patka box' for teachers to help Sikh students
2. https://www.sikhcoalition.org/images/documents/how_do_you_tie_a_patka.pdf How Do You Tie a Patka?
3. https://www.thawrih.com/products/your-revolution-sports-patkas-black Customized Sports Patka - Black
4. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/indias-sikh-players-break-with-tradition-for-basketball India's Sikh players break with tradition for basketball
5. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/fiba-asia-assures-amicable-solution-to-patka-row/articleshow/38984876.cms
6. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/basketball-governing-body-lifts-turban-ban/articleshow/58544787.cms Basketball governing body lifts turban ban
7. https://thewire.in/sport/headgear-comes-in-the-way-of-this-wrestlers-international-debut Headgear 'Comes in the Way' of This Wrestler's International Debut