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][2]

A Sikh boy with a rishi knot wearing a patka.

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

Patka in sports

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Monty Panesar's patka

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

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References

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  1. ^ Ontario woman creates 'patka box' for teachers to help Sikh students
  2. ^ a b How Do You Tie a Patka?
  3. ^ Customized Sports Patka - Black
  4. ^ India's Sikh players break with tradition for basketball
  5. ^ "Fiba Asia assures amicable solution to patka row". The Times of India. 25 July 2014.
  6. ^ Basketball governing body lifts turban ban
  7. ^ Headgear 'Comes in the Way' of This Wrestler's International Debut