Multi-racial participation in basketball c’ships

By STUART MICHAEL metro@thestar.com.my 

Photos by FAIHAN GHANI and M. AZHAR ARIF Thurday September 15, 2011

BASKETBALL is now played by all races and no longer dominated by the Chinese only, says Ossia World of Golf executive director Saw Swee Leong.

Ossia World of Golf — the organisers of the AND1 Streetball Challenge — has played a major role in the transformation and promotiong of basketball at the grassroot level, making it a level playing field.

Swee Leong, a former Thomas Cupper, said that when the challenge started six years ago, there were more Chinese players taking part in competitions and playing the sport “but the scenario has now changed”.

“This is very good for the development of the sport as it is played now in every nook and corner in townships.

“Now it is not only played by various races but it is also popular in government schools.



“Today, I can see Africans, Indians, Malay girls and boys all having a go at basketball — playing in this tournament, taking part in the shooting competition or taking part in the ‘In Search of the Freestylists’ event,’’ said Swee Leong, who was at the recent grand final where 241 teams took part in the AND1 Streetball Challenge held in Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday.

Also present was Star Publications Bhd chief events officer Iris Tan who gave away prizes to the winners.

Swee Leong said the recent challenge saw a busload of 50 Malay girls coming to take part in the event.

“I visited a public school in Putrajaya and the basketball court there is of good quality. This school has a Chinese basketball coach to train the students.

“This sport promotes unity among all races. In the past, parents used to drop off their children for our tournament.

“Today, parents could be seen at the sidelines watching the matches and talking to other parents about the sport. Interest in this sport has also grown among adults,’’ he said.

Fast-paced: An exciting match during the preliminary rounds
of the AND1 Streetball Challenge.

AND1 Streetball Challenge has grown by leaps and bounds as players are playing in two basketball competitions instead of one.

There are also games such as wall-climbing activities, In Search of Freestylist and shooting hoop competitions where participants and spectators can win attractive prizes including cellphones and a basketball.

Swee Leong said Ossia was looking to organise this event in other states to promote the sport.

“We are looking to hold a leg in Kelantan next year,’’ he said.

The grand final will have five categories — boys’ Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18, men’s Under-25 and girls’ Under-18.

The challenge is sanctioned by Malaysia Basketball Association (Maba).

The sponsors are Milo (official beverage); Star Metro (official media); One FM (official radio) and Berjaya Times Square (official venue sponsor) while Celcom Axiata is the co-sponsor.

RESULTS

Boys Under-14

Final: Survival bt Chilli Sauce 10-2

Third placing: WWL bt KCT 10-0

Under-16

Final: Survival A bt PC 2 16-9

Third placing: Survival B bt Thunder 18-8

Under-18

Final: Selangor Team bt The One 21-8

Third placing: G-Six 18 bt Teratai 20-0

Girls Under-18

Final; Ren You bt Survival Girls 2-1

Third-Fourth: Friendship bt CTC 2-0

Mens Under-25

Final: Mixtape LA bt Secret A 11-8

Third-Fourth: Batu Belah bt One Two Fight 13-10