Pakistan Basketball Federation suspension lifted

KARACHI: International basketball governing body (FIBA) on Thursday lifted the suspension it had imposed on Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBF) in 2013 and recognised the federation being headed by former Pakistan captain Brig Rashid Ali Malik.
FIBA informed Rashid on Thursday through a letter, a copy of which has also been forwarded by the world body to Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).
“Following your request that the suspension of Pakistan Basketball Federation be lifted by FIBA, your activity and compliance report was thoroughly reviewed by FIBA Governance and Legal Commissions as well by the FIBA Central Board at its last meeting of August 8, 2015, in Tokyo, Japan,” a FIBA letter addressed to Rashid said.
“The FIBA Central Board noted that while the situation in basketball in your country remains extremely fragile, in particular due to existence of another group claiming to be acting as the governing body for basketball in Pakistan and organising competitions at national level, it also welcomed the efforts made by yourself and your board to reorganise the federation in a more structured and transparent manner,” the letter added.
“The central board also welcomed the support of your National Olympic Committee (NOC) and expressed its wish that under your leadership, basketball in Pakistan will develop in a more peaceful and harmonised manner.
“In view of the above, I am, therefore, pleased to inform you that the FIBA Central Board has decided to lift with immediate effect the suspension of your federation and thus to allow the PBF to participate in all FIBA competitions and activities with full rights,” the letter said.
It added that the central board had, however, conveyed to the FIBA administration and the FIBA regional office in Asia the duty to closely monitor the situation in Pakistan and to submit regular progress report to ensure that the federation was active in developing the game of basketball and complied at all times with FIBA’s regulatory framework.
“We, therefore, strongly encourage you to actively liaise with FIBA’s regional office in Asia . . . which will undoubtedly assist you in the area of registration and licensing of players, coaches and officials,” the letter added.
In June 2013, FIBA had suspended the PBF for an indefinite period and had said that the PBF’s president Asif Bajwa was engaged in activities which were damaging the efforts of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in establishing sports movement in Pakistan.
Rashid Malik said it was a welcome decision. “I am happy with the decision of FIBA. We will now put in our best to bring the game back on right footing,” Malik told ‘The News’ on Thursday.
“We don’t need a single penny from the government. We have the money and can meet the expenses of our teams. We will prepare activity calendar and Insha Allah in near future our players will also be able to play at international level,” Malik said.
“I have also told the POA’s chief Arif Hasan that our entry should be ensured in the South Asian Games to be held in India. He told me that it would be done,” Malik added.
The POA also expressed its good wishes for the federation’s officials. “The POA expresses its good wishes to the said officials of PBF with the hope that the activity of basketball will be revived to a desirable level to catch up with international standards. This is a good omen and a step towards eliminating fake bodies not affiliated to or recognised by POA,” a POA press statement said.
Basketball suffered a lot due to the feud between two groups during the last ten years. Once a solid side of Asia, Pakistan declined in standards due to the infighting. Malik-led PBF held its elections last year. Khalid Bashir is the secretary of the federation.