Bollywood actor-producer Pooja Bhatt, owner of Delhi Hoopers, a team in the ongoing 3x3 Pro Basketball League (PBL), has slammed the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) for directing state associations (in its April 25 letter) to prevent 5x5 players from featuring in any 3x3 official tournaments.

The final round of the 12-team PBL, an International Basketball Federation (FIBA)-recognised league, that kicked off on June 9 this year, will be held in Mumbai this weekend. Bhatt felt BFI's order has created a roadblock for the sport to progress. "Nobody is going to the BFI with a begging bowl. We just want access to the best players and referees in the country as the game will become better. We want basketball players to make money in crores like you see how kabaddi players today are doing," Bhatt told mid-day.