By IANS,
New Delhi: Sports Minister Ajay Maken Wednesday said the external affairs ministry will take up with the Italian authorities the issue of golfer Jeev Mikha Singh’s coach Amritinder Singh being forced to remove his turban at Milan airport.
Maken said it was an unfortunate incident and demoralises sportsmen.
“It was an unfortunate incident and these things demoralise our players. The external affairs ministry will take up the matter strongly with Italian authority,” Maken said during his visit to the Indian hockey team’s camp at the National Stadium.
On Tuesday, Amritinder, who was accompanied by Jeev, was forced to remove his turban at Milan airport before being allowed to board the flight to Sicily in Italy.
Jeev also protested but the airport security officials sternly told Jeev that his coach could either remove the turban or not board the flight.
Jeev, son of legendary athlete Milkha Singh, said it was a horrifying incident.
“My father wears a turban and I would be horrified if he was told to remove it unnecessarily and unrespectfully in front of hundreds of people,” said Jeev.
Amritinder is currently travelling with Jeev for three tournaments on the European leg of his schedule and will be playing the Sicilian Open this week.