CLOSE AFFAIR EXPECTED
Teams from 10 countries vie to qualify for World University League
WITH slots for the FISU World University League up for grabs, competition at the Asian University 3-on-3 Basketball Championships is expected to be a keenly contested affair.
A total of 29 teams, representing 10 countries, have arrived in Kuala Lumpur for the competition, which starts tomorrow and ends on Saturday, at the MABA Stadium.
The finallists in each of the men and women’s categories respectively will qualify for the World University League, which will be held in China later this year.
Malaysian University Sports Council (MASUM) chairman, Datuk Dr Hassan Basri Awang Mat Dahan hopes a Malaysian team will be able to make the cut to compete in China.
“Our expectations for Malaysian teams are high as there is a lot at stake in this tournament, however, we are aware that it will be tough playing against strong teams from China, Iran and Taiwan in the fray as well,” said Dr Hassan yesterday.
“The goal is to qualify for the World University League. Again, it won’t be easy as every team have the same objective. Our players are well-prepared for this tournament.”
Dr Hassan, who is also the organising committee chairman, officiated the opening ceremony at the MABA Stadium yesterday. The other nations involved in the competition are Mongolia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Taylor’s University and Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) will represent Malaysia in the men’s category. TAR UC will also compete in the women’s event together with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
This is the second straight year Malaysia are hosting the event after last season’s edition in Cyberjaya.
Last year, national teams instead of universities took part in the tournament, where Malaysia ended up finishing third in the men’s event and emerged as quarter-finalists in the women’s event.