LAHORE, June 29: Implications of staging the National Games in contravention of International Olympic Committee (IOC) charter have started to appear since the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has suspended membership of the Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBF) for supporting the interim committee of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).

The PBF has been in good standing with the interim committee against the IOC-recognised Arif Hasan-led POA which has already held the 32nd National Games in Lahore last year.

The decision of banning the PBF was taken by the FIBA in its central board meeting held on June 20 and 21, 2013.

The letter the FIBA sent to the PBF and POA states: “The FIBA Central Board [in its meeting of 20-21 June 2013] has taken a firm approach considering that — in breach of Article 9.1 of the FIBA General Statutes — your federation no longer is in good standing with the National Olympic Committee (POA) officially recognised by the IOC and that the actions taken by your federation cannot be considered in line with Article 9.7.

“Your direct participation in chairing this interim committee further confirms that you are acting against the efforts of the IOC to establish a Sports movement in Pakistan that functions in an independent manner free from interference.

“In view of all the above facts and in application of Article 9.10 and 10.2 of the FIBA General Statutes, we have the regret to inform you that the Central Board has approved the suspension of your Federation from FIBA with immediate effect, the letter further said.

“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 organise and/or participate in official competitions or activities,” it said.

The FIBA also clearly gives in its letter an outline for restoration of the PBF’s affiliation with the international body, saying it won’t restore PBF’s status until “it (FIBA) receives an official confirmation from the duly recognised POA that the BFP recognises and support the POA and its duly elected officers as per the general assembly elections of Feb 4, 2012.”

It needs to be noted that the main reason behind PBF suspension is the active role of PBF president Asif Bajwa in the interim committee which is actually headed by him in defiance of the Olympic Charter.

The FIBA letter further states: “Much to our regret, we have also been informed that this illegal interim committee is headed by the president of the PBF, Mr Asif Baiwa.”

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) with the support of Asif Bajwa’s interim committee is holding the ongoing National Games for which a huge sum of Rs80m has been granted by the PSB.

However, all these activities are only steering the country to IOC suspension rather than promoting sports in the country.

In the wake of PBF suspension it now seems more likely that the IOC may not take a direct action against Pakistan since various international sports bodies are expected to suspend their respective units in Pakistan.