ISLAMABAD: In a significant move, the Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBBF) on Sunday took a decisive action against several officials and players, suspending or banning them for various violations and misconduct.

In a meeting chaired by PBBF president retired Brig Iftikhar Mansoor, the general council suspended Ghulam Mohammad Khan, the president of the Karachi Basketball Association (KBBA), due to regulatory violations and misconduct.

“The [general council] meeting saw the suspension of Ghulam Mohammad Khan, the KBBA president, on grounds of regulatory violations and misconduct,” said a press release issued by the PBBF on Sunday.

“Present at the meeting, Mr Ghulam Mohammad Khan accepted his mistakes, tendered an apology, and recommended senior vice-president Muhammad Yaqoob as his interim successor.”

According to a participant of the meeting, Ghulam’s suspension was prompted by allegations of misbehaviour during a championship in Quetta and delaying KBBA elections, among other violations.

The press release added that the PBBF general council ratified the establishment of a scrutiny committee to assess Karachi-based clubs, paving the way for transparent KBBA elections within 90 days, followed by elections of the Sindh Basketball Association.”

Two KBBA officials, Zafar Iqbal and Zain-ul-Abideen, were also banned for three years and fined for severe misconduct during the Divisional Basketball Championship Grade-B held in Quetta.

Usman Paracha from Khanewal was also banned for falsely representing the PBBF and misconduct, with his case referred to the Multan Division Basketball Association for further proceedings.

Additionally, three players from MEPCO (a subsidiary of Wapda) were banned and fined for illegitimately representing themselves as part of the Multan Division Basketball Association during the All-Punjab SONA Basketball Tournament staged in Rahim Yar Khan.

A player from LESCO (another Wapda subsidiary) was fined for using abusive language and misconduct during the recent Wapda Inter-Unit Basketball Tournament.

Fines were also levied on some players from Rawa­lpindi, Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Wah and LESCO for multiple violations of PBBF’s transfer policy.

A player from the Rangers was also fined and banned for similar breaches. These players must submit affidavits committing to not repeat such violations, with the warning that further infractions can lead to lifetime bans, said the PBBF press release.

The PBBF also finalised the calendar of activities and implemented developmental programmes for players, coaches, referees and statisticians in preparation for the upcoming South Asian Games scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2024