International Basketball Events to make a ‘Delhi’ comeback?
International Basketball Events to make a ‘Delhi’ comeback?
Earlier this week, Delhi Basketball Association’s voting rights were restored by Basketball Federation of India - resuming its ‘permanent affiliation’ status.
Earlier this week, Delhi Basketball Association’s voting rights were restored by Basketball Federation of India - resuming its ‘permanent affiliation’ status.
What does this mean for the Delhi Basketball, and indeed the larger Indian basketball, community?
In an EKxclusive conversation, DBA President Mr Mukesh Kalia clarified that Delhi had never been “de-affiliated” and had “continued to participate in every activity.”
DBA’s troubles began when a letter was issued by BFI in 2022 stating that DBA had failed to form district associations - in supposed contravention of the provisions of the National Sports Code 2011. Following a clarification issued by DBA that such district bodies had already been created, DBA was granted “temporary affiliation” - which meant that while it could send teams to national championships, it could not gain voting rights in time for the 2023 BFI Elections.
“Basketball more in courts than on court”
The last few months have seen numerous legal challenges around these very BFI elections. Highlighting the same, Mr Kalia said that he did not want to also drag the DBA recognition issue to court. This meant that Delhi was forced to give up its voting rights. But this was a price DBA was willing to pay.
“Basketball has been more in court than on court,” Mr Kalia noted. “Being a practicing advocate, I don’t want to take basketball to court.”
NBA action in Delhi soon?
It is pertinent to note that between 2009-2013, Delhi regularly used to host national and international competitions. The Thyagaraj Stadium, Talkatora Stadium and Indira Gandhi Stadium are three of the national capital’s premier indoor venues.
Let’s also not forget that the registered head office of BFI is in Delhi.
Now with its ‘permanent’ status finally restored, DBA can look forward to resuming being the fulcrum of India’s national and international basketball activity - a role it had been forced to give up when basketball’s base had shifted to Bengaluru under the previous BFI regime.
Confirming the same, Mr Kalia said, “Mr Arjuna is planning something big. He recently had a meeting with NBA officials. The Indira Gandhi Stadium has wonderful infrastructure with 15000 seating capacity (which is said to be the minimum requirement for NBA events). We are 1000% ready (to host such events).”