BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AN official ruling on the legality of basketball player Dale Rochester’s religious headwear is expected to be handed down today (Apr. 22) by the St. Kitts Amateur Basketball Association’s (SKABA) established Appeals Board.
The board put in place is comprised of Table Tennis Association President Lester Ible, former basketballer Garfield Jeffers and St. Kitts-Nevis Olympic Committee Treasurer Glenn Quinlan and was put in place on April 12 to hear the matter.
Speaking to SKNVibes, Board Chairman Quinlan explained that deliberations have been completed and a decision will be delivered to the SKABA executive today.
“We’ve considered so far all of the material put forward to us and we expect to meet sometime today and make our decision from there. We will then pass our ruling on to SKABA and they will make use of it as they see fit.”
Questions over Rochester’s right to play in the national league for reigning Premier Division champion S. L. Horsford’s Ghetto Roots first arose last season when SKABA determined that his head wrap, which he wears as practitioner of the Bobo Shanti religion, is in direct violation of FIBA rule section 4.4.2.
The section in question states that, “players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players” and cites “headgear, hair accessories and jewelry” as prohibited items.
Management of Ghetto Roots have strongly worded their displeasure with SKABA’s decision to bar Rochester for his headwear, classifying it as religious persecution and a violation of his basic human rights.
“From a Ghetto Roots perspective we are maintaining that the interpretation of the rule is discriminatory. Second, the decision made was unilaterally done by the association. [Rochester] should have had his time in court and had the chance to make his case,” Head Coach Dr. Garfield Alexander told SKNVibes.
The coach added that Ghetto Roots have shown a great deal of patience in the long wait for the Appeals Board’s decision.
“We were told last week Wednesday that a decision would be made by the weekend. Then we were told that it would be Monday, but we are still waiting.”
While the team had originally stated they would boycott the LIME SKABA Premier Division until a ruling was reached regarding Rochester, Alexander said the squad ultimately decided to participate while they wait as an “olive branch” to the association. He noted his hope that the association would be willing to reach a similar compromise in the matter.
When asked if he felt the Appeals Board would be unbiased in their decision, Alexander praised Quinlan for displaying a neutral attitude throughout the hearing, though he did take umbrage with how the committee was selected.
“I think we could have been given the opportunity to exclude certain persons that we thought may be biased. The committee was unilaterally selected by the association, but the chairman was very neutral and even suggested that the matter be voted on by the general body.
“I hope that same idea is included in their ruling because these are the people [Rochester] would be playing with and I think that is a fair way of deciding,” Alexander stated.
If Rochester’s headwear is ruled to be illegal, the coach said that he thought it unlikely the player would return to the basketball court.
“This is his religion we are talking about and I don’t think he would compromise on that.”
