Basketball Fed Suspends Russia -- Federations Focus

(ATR) Basketball’s international federation says "longstanding institutional and legal issues" are to blame for its suspension of Russia.

The FIBA Executive Committee made the decision on Wednesday with immediate effect, according to a federation statement.

The federation says the issues are preventing the Russian Basketball Federation from working under proper conditions and maintaining "full control and governance in the country."

The statement says the decision stems in part from a ruling by the Moscow Khamovnichesky Court demanding the RBF elect a new president and executive committee. RBF appealed the decision in the Moscow City Court, but that appeal was denied in February.

FIBA says the RBF has forfeited its rights as a member and its teams and officials may not participate in official competitions.

Officials from the RBF have been invited to report on the situation during the FIBA Central Board meeting in August.

"It is FIBA’s hope that the situation be resolved by this date so that the suspension may be lifted to allow for the healthy development of basketball in Russia and the participation of Russian national teams in FIBA events."

The Russian men’s basketball team includes NBA veteran Andrei Kirilenko and is coached by Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt.

Russia is not the only high-profile federation currently suspended by FIBA. Japan is working toward reinstatement after being suspended in November.

Table Tennis Returns to North Korea

(ATR) The first international table tennis event in North Korea since 1979 is underway.

Qualification rounds at the ITTF World Tour Pyongyang Open began on Wednesday in the country’s capital.

Secretary general of the national table tennis federation Jong-chol Ju said, "We are all very pleased to welcome our international table tennis friends again to play in this big international event. We look forward to them enjoying our country and adding a new chapter to our rich table tennis heritage."

The number one seed on the women’s side is Myong-sun Ri, a native of North Korea. She says it is "exciting" to play in front of the home crowd.

"We have shown the world how good we are. Now it is time to show our own people our table tennis skills against top international players.

"It will mean a lot to me to win this event in my home country."

The event is the 13th of the year on the table tennis world tour. The qualification stage lasts two days followed by the main draw on Friday.

Written by Nick Devlin

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