Wednesday April 14, 2010 By Y.P. SIVAMPhotos by SAM THAM and RICKY LAI
THE youngsters came out in full force to make the opening leg of the AND1 3-on-3 streetball challenge at the Summit USJ a big success.
Ossia World of Golf, the organisers of the challenge, had set a target of 350 teams but about 370 teams had flocked to the venue as early as 7.30am.
Ossia World of Golf executive director Saw Swee Leong said they were surprised at the overwhelming response for the challenge.
Stepping up: Oveke was also on hand to entertain the participants.
“The active participation of the youngsters proves that the challenge is a popular event in the Klang Valley. What makes the event more interesting is the presence of parents giving support to their children.
“With support from sponsors, we are convinced that the challenge has grown over the last few years,” Saw said.
Many of the participants, despite losing in the preliminary rounds, stayed back to take part in the other events like free throw, in search of freestylist and shooting competitions. The events offered attractive AND1 merchandise as prizes.Paul Daniel Advincula, who heads a basketball academy in Klang, came with a busload of young players.
“Participation in the challenge was to expose the youngsters to the competitive atmosphere. The players had a good time and enjoyed watching the exciting matches,” Advincula said.Former international Tan Kee Hian said the matches were exciting and the spectators enjoyed the games.
The most exciting match of the challenge was between YN1 and Survival 1. The match was keenly contested but, in the end, YN1 managed to beat Survival 1 6-2.
Former Nigerian junior cager Mike Oveke also showed up to add excitement to the occasion with a series of slam dunk manoeuvres.
Winners all: The champions of the various categories celebrate with their prizes.
National women’s coach Yoong Sze Yuin was given the task to select two participants for the StarMetro Most Promising Player Award. She was impressed by Jacky Lim Chen Aik and Tan Zhi Hao.
As the Most Promsing Player award winners, both Chen Aik and Zho Hao will get the chance to train with the national junior squad later this year.
Star Publications (M) Bhd marketing services general manager Iris Tan gave away the prizes to the winning teams.
The next leg of the challenge will be at the Danga Bay in Johor on May 9 followed by Jusco, Bukit Tinggi, Klang (June 6); Esplanade, Penang (July 11) and the grand finals at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, on Aug 8.
Results (all finals)
Boys
Under-13: Banting Boys C bt TLK 3 7-2
Under-15: YN 1 bt Survival 1 6-2
Under-18: GVK 1 bt Joanne 5-3
Under-21: GVK bt Jordan 23 4-3
Girls
Under-15:Yuk Chai Girls bt Survival 8-1
Under-18: Yuk Chai A bt Yuk Chai B 12-5
