FIBA asks Govt. To recognise Govindaraj faction in basketball

In a strongly worded communique, International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has pleaded with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to recognise the faction headed by Govindaraj at the earliest and end the infighting in the Basketball Federation of India (BFI).
Informing Minister of State Sarbananda Sonowal that it has recognised the Govindaraj faction -- after it had conducted elections in Bengaluru on March 27 -- to head the BFI, FIBA Secretary General, Patrick Baumann, also alleged that threats were being issued to players and state units by persons connected with the rival faction not to take part in competitions organised by the BFI and/or FIBA.

Explaining that on May 23 FIBA had officially recognised the BFI faction headed by Govindaraj, as opposed to the rival faction headed by Poonam Mahajan, Baumann said that "more than four months later we regret to note that the institutional situation of the BFI remains extremely fragile and subject to unacceptable pressures that hinder the proper development of basketball in your country.
"To our utmost concern, we have received evidence and copies of correspondence issued by persons who were directly or indirectly part of the parallel General Meeting held in Pune the day after the holding of the valid BFI General Meeting, threatening and dissuading players and State Unit associations to take part in competitions organised by the BFI and/or FIBA.

"While it is not unusual for officials involved within the sports political spheres to have disagreements, FIBA cannot accept that players who have absolutely nothing to do with these political matters and personal arguments be held hostages and prevented from representing their country in major international competitions.