USA  February 02, 2014: Hindus have welcomed the decision of International Football Association Board (IFAB) for allowing the players to wear head covers.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that “it was a step in the right direction”, although it was long overdue.

This modification was approved at the 128th Annual General Meeting of IFAB (formed 1886), chaired by Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President Joseph S. Blatter, and held at Zurich (Switzerland) on March one. “After a two-year pilot, The IFAB agreed that there was no indication as to why the wearing of head covers should be prohibited”, Media Release at FIFA.com said. It will come into effect on June one.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, applauded IFAB for standing by the religious freedom. The 2014 world should protect the religious freedom of all as it was a fundamental human right. All people should be permitted to play soccer regardless of religion. Ban on head covers was highly unjust and discriminatory, Zed added.

IFAB’s role “is to discuss and decide upon proposed alterations to the Laws of the Game”.