Boy’S Hair Ok’D For Games

The government overruled complaints about a 12-year-old boy’s hairdo, ordering school officials to let the German-born student compete in the national mathematics championship.

Education Minister Fernando Robleto overruled a local ministry official, who had banned Theo Sullow from competing in the contest’s second round. Sullow won a first, regional round in the northern town of Esteli.

The local official, Mercedes Garcia Guevara, argued that Sullow’s hairstyle - described as a tall pompadour with a part down the middle - violated regulations. Local papers and the government’s child protection agency had criticized the ban.

The ruling Monday “is a victory not only for Theo, but for all children who have the right to their own tastes and their own identity,” said his mother, Angelika Sullow.