SURREY – Navraj Singh Bassi will make history as the first turbaned Sikh in the Canadian Football league when he makes his CFL debut in June as a member of the Gray Cup Champion Saskatchewan Rough Riders.
For Bassi and his extremely supportive family, including dad Kulwinder Singh Bassi and champion boxer brother Pavan Singh Bassi, playing in the big leagues is a dream come true for multi-talented player who began playing football in Surrey at the age of 10.
The North Delta Secondary school player excelled early and received more than 40 offers of full football scholarships from top tier US universities. Bassi chose the University of Oregon to be close to home so that his family can watch him play.
Bassi has played on both sides of the ball as an Offensive Lineman as well as a Defensive Lineman but Saskatchewan, who are very excited to have him in the line-up, hopes to use Bassi on both the D-Line and as a blocking Tight-End.
"We are very excited that he will be given an opportunity to showcase his talents and by the grace of God he will excel in the sport that he has loved since he was a child," Kulwinder Bassi said of his younger son.
"The Saskatchewan coaches are really impressed with his abilities and Navraj is really enjoying the team atmosphere there," said older brother Pavan, who recently won the Super Heavyweight boxing championship at the Cloverdale arena and will be defending the title at upcoming summer events.
Family is excited that Bassi will be coming to BC for his first ever match against the Lions on July 4th and hopes the community comes out to support their very own Surrey boy, who hopefully will get to start in the game. Saskatchewan also plays BC at the BC Place Stadium later in the summer on September 13th.
-By R. Paul Dhillon