Streetball challenge returns next monthTuesday March 24, 2009 By STUART MICHAELTHE popular AND1 Three on Three Streetball Challenge is back! The first leg will be held at the Summit USJ in Subang Jaya on April 26.
To make the challenge a success, the organisers — Ossia World of Golf — will be initiating a series of coaching clinics in the Klang Valley, like it has done in previous years.
Ossia World of Golf executive director Saw Swee Leong said they were keen to promote the challenge in the outskirts.
Freestyle moves: Ismadi using one finger to place the basketball behind him.
“We want to reach out to the youngsters outside Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya and Klang. We are looking at public courts in Kepong and Rawang.
“We have plans to conduct three coaching clinics as a run-up to the first leg. We will be announcing the dates soon,” Saw said after the launch of the five-leg AND1 Streetball Challenge at the Summit USJ recently.
Ossia World of Golf, in the presence co-sponsors and supporters Milo, FlyFM, Malaysia Basketball Association (Maba), Summit USJ and The Star, unveiled the new red Jersey and the new red ball for the 2009 edition of the AND1 Streetball Challenge.
The second leg will be held in Johor on May 24, the third in Klang on June 28, the fourth in Penang on July 26 and the grand finals at Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 4.
New jersey and ball: (From left) The Summit USJ A&P manager Wivien San, The Star deputy executive editor Wong Sai Wan, Fly FM network marketing manager Elaine Lee, Saw, Tan and Ng unveiling the new ball and jersey.
Maba secretary-general Tan See Wah said they were pleased to be associated with the AND1 Streetball Challenge.
“The challenge has played a big part in the promotion and development of basketball at the grassroots level. Ossia World of Golf have been consistent in running this programme, and the Maba is grateful to the organisers for their efforts,” Tan said.
Milo sports marketing manager Ng Ping Loong said they had seen the challenge grow from strength to strength.
“We have been with the challenge since the first year. The challenge brings youngsters together for a healthy activity. The other side events — Beat Box and the In Search of MC Competitions — have also made the challenge an exciting and interesting affair,” said Ng.
The launch was made merrier by the presence of two freestylists, Nabil Ra’uf Harun and Ismadi Hamidi, who showed off their skills. The public also had the opportunity to take part in the shooting hoop competition, and Fly FM announcers Steve and Jules took to the stage and played a game against two youngsters.
The first leg will have six categories :
– boys’ Under-13,
- boys’ Under-15, girls’ Under-15
- boys’ Under-18, girls’ Under-18
- boys’ Under-21
- There will be side events like the
In Search of Freestylist competition,
In Search of MC Competition,
In Search of Beat Box Competition,
AND1 Streetball Video Game Zone and lucky draw.
StarMetro is the official media; Milo, the official beverage; and Fly FM, the official radio. The challenge is sanctioned by Maba.
The entry fee for each team is RM90. Each player will receive an AND1 jersey and each team will receive an AND1 basketball on the day of the event.
