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The Basketball Federation of India has banned 122 basketballers, players and coaches from competition in India and abroad, under the allegation that they were playing for “unauthorized” leagues.
This is alleged to be targeted at a number of basketballers who are currently in the UBA or United Basketball Alliance, an independent basketball league. The UBA, launched a year ago, has a significant following, but is not authorized by the BFI, which itself is affiliated to FIBA, the international governing body of the sport.
A letter issued on Thursday, August 4, by BFI Secretary-General Chander Mukhi Sharma, said: 'No permission to the listed Players & Officials to participate in any Basketball activities in India and abroad'. The circular stated that, "You are hereby notified to ensure that the attached list of Players, Coaches, Support staff & Referees are not permitted in any All India tournaments, International and National competitions within India and abroad as they have played in an unrecognized Championship/Competition of the Basketball Federation of India."
The ‘unrecognized championship’ refers to the UBA.
Some of the Indian players now barred from representing their teams in All India championships or trying out for the national team include Season 2 UBA MVP Vinay Kaushik (Delhi), Kaif Zia (Karnataka), Jagdeep Singh Bains (Punjab), Gurvinder Singh Gill (Punjab), Loveneet Singh (Punjab), Ajay Pratap Singh (Indian Railways), Akashdeep Hazra (Indian Railways), Gopal Ram (Services), Jai Ram Jat (Services), Joginder Singh (Services), and UBA Season 3 MVP Narender Grewal.
It was not just the players who took a hit, with several eminent coaches also issued bans. Players are yet to respond to the ban.
Report credit: Hoopistani
