21 teams in 49th Sabah Junior Basketball C’ships
A total of 21 teams will be vying for honours at the 49th Sabah Junior Basketball Championships happening in Kudat from May 27 to June 2.
KOTA KINABALU: A total of 21 teams will be vying for honours at the 49th Sabah Junior Basketball Championships happening in Kudat from May 27 to June 2.
The under-17 tournament will be held at Dewan Tun Mustapha and will feature 12 boys’ teams and nine girls’ teams from Kota Kinabalu, Kota Marudu, Beaufort, Sipitang, Keningau, Tambunan, Lahad Datu, Tawau, Semporna, Labuan and Kudat.
Sabah Basketball Association (SABA) president Phan Chee Yong gave a briefing when making a call on Youth and Sports Minister Frankie Poon Ming Fung at the latter’s office in Wisma Muis yesterday.
Also present was permanent secretary to the Youth and Sports Ministry Datuk Awang Damit Anak, assistant principal secretary Mat Jaidin Yassin, Sabah Sports Council director Terrance E. Pudin, SABA advisor Phang Jyn Yen and vice presidents Kapitan Fung Chun Fatt, Ho Shin Yung and Lim Chee Yean, among others.
Phan said preparation for the tournament was at 90 per cent, including accommodation and lodging for all the teams, players and officials.
“This is the most prestigious basketball tournament in the state which we will use as a scouting platform to select the best players to represent Sabah at the 54th National Under17 Basketball Championships happening at MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on June 18-24.
“And it is our pleasure to invite our YB Minister to officiate at the opening ceremony on May 28 (7pm),” he said.
According to Phan, SABA spent between RM200,000 and RM300,000 each year to send state teams to compete in three national championships; the Under-15, Under-17 and Agong’s Cup.
“The financial burden that we shoulder is quite big and therefore, SABA is grateful to all its sponsors, the ministry and its agency the Sabah Sports Council for all their continued support.
“And I am delighted to note that the development of basketball in Sabah is also expanding and more rapidly than in other states.
“Therefore, I hope the ministry would consider including a basketball team for the 2020 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) because we actually started preparing for it already - so that Sabah can have the best teams to vie national glory,” he said.
Towards this end, Phan on behalf of the basketball fraternity in Sabah congratulated Frankie on his appointment as the Youth and Sports Minister and Arunarnsin Taib as the assistant minister.
He also pledged his full support and cooperation so that sports development and achievements can reach new heights in Sabah.
Meanwhile, Frankie recorded his thanks to SABA for inviting him to officiate at the tournament’s opening ceremony.
“And I am happy to note that it is not just the Chinese who are playing basketball now, but the sport seems to be expanding rapidly among non-Chinese players too.
“This shows that sports can indeed create harmony among the people and I am proud that Sabah has such good achievements at national level championships.
“The ministry will continue to support the positive activities of all sports associations under MSN (National Sports Council) and this includes financial support too,” said Frankie.