Maba seeking taller players

20/10/1998

IF the cagers were half as good as the Malaysian Amateur Basketball
Association (Maba) in organising talent scouting programmes, Malaysia
would be ranked No 1 in Asia today.
Maba president Datuk Loke Yuen Yow has relentlessly pursued the single
minded objective of finding tall cagers in Malaysia for the past five
years, never mind the lukewarm response his earlier programmes received.
"We will go to the States and kampungs again to look for tall players
who will then be taught the basics of basketball. If they are selected,
lodging and scholarships will be provided."
To achieve their target and get a wider coverage this time, Maba have
roped in the Sports Ministry, who will organise a State-wide three-on-
three tournament soon.
"I met Sports Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on the three-on-three
proposal and he has agreed that the Ministry, instead of Maba, will
organise the tournament," said Loke.
"Muhyiddin also suggested the three-on-three be a multi-racial
tournament and teams can only compete if they have two non-Chinese cagers
in their side.
"Maba have no qualms about that ... in fact we are looking forward to
having a larger pool of non-Chinese."
The three-on-three is just the tip of the iceberg as far as Maba are
concerned. They have formulated many plans to make basketball a popular
sport in the country.
"Some of the plans will be put on hold because we are having
difficulties finding sponsors. Once we are financially stable again, they
will be put into action."
Lack of funds will also limit the Malaysian Basketball League to a one
foreign player per team. The move is seen as a welcome relief by many in
Maba because they feel it is time the locals stop relying on foreign
players to make the league more competitive.
"With one foreign player per team, we hope to see the locals stand on
their own feet next season. They must start scoring if they want their
team to win the title and not just rely on imports."
(END)