FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, has announced that it is to ban the vuvuzela from the forthcoming World Championship in Turkey because of health concerns, local media reported.

The plastic horn vuvuzela has been a subject of debate since its ubiquitous buzzing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa this summer sparked both fervor and complaints.

Some say the instrument causes headaches and is bad for concentration, while others believe it's a good way of cheering up the spirit.

FIBA has announced the use of vuvuzela is not suitable for basketball arenas and warned security guards could confiscate the instruments brought to the games by fans, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reported.

FIBA was now the first international sports federation to ban vuvuzela from its events, according to the report.

The 2010 FIBA World Championship will start officially in Istanbul on August 27, with 24 teams to compete in four Turkish cities from August 28 to 12.