A controversy has shaken Pakistan’s basketball community after Islamabad Panthers’ Under-18 and Under-16 teams took part in the 13th Asia Pacific Cup 3×3 tournament in Singapore. The Sindh Basketball Association (SBA) expressed outrage, claiming it was never informed about the opportunity to participate, raising questions about fairness and communication within the sport’s governing body.
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In a statement released on Thursday, the SBA accused the Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBBF) of keeping it in the dark about the international event. The association argued that such exclusion goes against the principles of transparency and equal representation, especially for regional bodies striving to promote young talent.
Responding to the allegations, an official from the Federal Basketball Association (FBBA), speaking on condition of anonymity, insisted that all regional units were duly notified by the PBBF. “When we received the notification, we immediately showed interest in the U-18 event,” the official explained. “It was a club-based competition, and we organized open trials in Islamabad, where several talented players participated.”
He further added that with the postponement of the National Youth Games for the U-16 category, the FBBA decided to also send a U-16 squad to ensure more players gained international exposure. “Our aim was simple — to give young players a chance to compete at a higher level and experience global basketball firsthand,” he said.
According to the FBBA, the selection process was conducted purely on merit. Eight players were shortlisted for each category after extensive trials, with four finally chosen to represent Pakistan in each age group. The U-16 team featured Behram Raees, Shershah Durrani, Rayyan Khan Jadoon, and Yousuf Raja, while the U-18 lineup included Moosa Hassan, Shahmeer Syed, Ibrahim Raja, and Mohammad Ayaan. The teams were managed by Omer Mehmood and Yasir Ghaffar.
Funding for the trip was a joint effort. The FBBA covered the $420 registration fee along with accommodation and food expenses, while players contributed toward their travel and personal costs. The official emphasized that no favoritism was involved and that the association’s priority was to develop the sport by giving opportunities based on performance.
On the court, the young squads faced tough competition. The U-16 team lost all three of its matches, learning valuable lessons from stronger opponents, while the U-18 side managed to record one win out of three games. The experience, despite the challenges, is being seen as an important step in nurturing emerging basketball talent from Pakistan.
The 13th Asia Pacific Cup 3×3, which began on October 22 and runs until October 26, features youth teams from across the region. For the Islamabad Panthers, this was more than just a tournament — it was a platform to represent Pakistan and gain exposure to international basketball standards.
While the SBA continues to demand answers over the alleged lack of communication, the FBBA maintains that its intentions were purely developmental. The disagreement has once again highlighted the need for clearer coordination among Pakistan’s regional basketball bodies to ensure equal opportunities and transparency in future international events.
