The sanction comes after Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBBF) President Asif Bajwa was appointed head of the POA Interim Committee. PHOTO: FILE
In another blow to the country’s sports, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) suspended the membership of Pakistan, conveying the sanction in a detailed three-page document yesterday.
The Fiba also sent the letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which in turn conveyed the information to the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).
The sanction comes after Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBBF) President Asif Bajwa was appointed head of the POA Interim Committee, a development that has angered the Fiba. Basketball’s world governing body said that the appointment is a ‘direct contravention of the IOC’s explicit instructions.
Excerpts of the letter read, “This Interim Committee is not recognised by the IOC. Much to our regret, we have also been informed that this illegal Interim Committee is headed by the President of the Pakistan Basketball Federation, Mr Asif Baiwa.
“The Fiba Central Board (in its meeting of June 20-21, 2013) has taken a firm approach considering that – in breach of Article 9.1 of the Fiba General Statutes – the [Pakistan] Federation no longer is in good standing with the National Olympic Committee (POA) officially recognised by the IOC.
“In view of all the above facts and in application of Article 9.10 and 10.2 of the Fiba General Statutes, we regret to inform you that the Central Board has approved the suspension of your Federation from Fiba with immediate effect. As a result, your federation forfeits its rights under Article 8.1 of the Fiba General Statutes and your teams and officials are no longer allowed to organize and/or participate in official competitions or activities.”
The ongoing tussle, which has seen the formation of an Interim Committee after the POA was banned, has divided the country’s sports into two factions. One group supports the POA that is backed by the IOC, while another set of federations supports the government-formed POA Interim Committee.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2013.
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