Basketball Players move court challenging BFI letter warning against taking part in unauthorized tournaments

On September 26, a circular was issued by Basketball Federation of India “warning against unauthorized basketball tournaments”.

On September 26, a circular was issued by Basketball Federation of India “warning against unauthorized basketball tournaments”. This circular has now been challenged in court by the affected basketball players.

By virtue of an order issued by the Delhi High Court on December 20, notice has been issued to the respondents which include Union of India and Basketball Federation of India.

“Violation of the petitioners’ fundamental rights”

The petitioners have argued that the said circular is “illegal, arbitrary and in violation of the Petitioners’ fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India and also in violation of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011” and therefore should be quashed and set aside.

The Counsel for the petitioners goes on to cite an earlier order of the Delhi High Court from 2017 (relating to badminton), which observed that “merely because a tournament is being organised as a private tournament…would not make the holding of such a tournament as illegal…such a circular/order would be counterproductive and against the interest of the sport. Instead of making available more opportunities to players to participate at National Level and improve their skills, the Respondent BAI is preventing players and officials from participating.”

What’s next?

The next date of hearing is April 2, 2024, and in the meanwhile, in case any disciplinary action is initiated against the petitioners, they have been granted liberty to approach the court for appropriate relief.

Know more about the original BFI circular:

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