IOA convenes meeting between warring BFI factions

With an aim to end the ongoing dispute in Basketball Federation of India (BFI), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has convened a meeting between the two warring factions on July 15.
The IOA today shot a letter to K Govind Raj and Poonam Mahajan, the leaders of the warring factions, requesting them to make themselves available for the meeting at the office of IOA at 12pm on July 15.
"The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India vide its letter No F.No. 16-14/2009-SP (Vol.II) dated 29th June, 2015 has requested Indian Olympic Association to sort out the dispute of Basketball Federation of India," IOA said in the letter.

"The International Basketball Federation is also of the view that there is a clear division in Basketball Federation of India and both the factions are claiming to be the genuine President and Secretary General of Indian Basketball Federation.
"It is, therefore, requested that you may kindly make yourself available in the office of the Indian Olympic Association, B-29, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi-110016 on 15th July, 2015 at 12.00 noon so that a meaningful discussion may take place between both the factions in order to bring an end to the dispute to ensure smooth functioning in Basketball Federation of India and protect the interest of sports persons," the letter said.

The two factions of BFI, one led by Govind and another by Poonam, held their elections on March 27 and March 28 this year at Bengaluru and Pune respectively. The IOA had deputed their observer for the election in Pune, while FIBA deputed their observers in both the elections.
While FIBA granted recognition to elections held in Bengaluru by 'Team Govind', IOA recognised elections held at Pune by 'Team Poonam'.
The Sports Ministry then intervened and shot a letter dated June 29, where the under secretary to the government of India wrote to the IOA secretary general, asking him to resolve the issue of granting recognition to Basketball Federation of India (BFI).