POSTED BY: Eurobasket Center
YANGON, Myanmar (7th SEABA U18 Championship): Myanmar, the largest country in the Indochina region of South East Asia is creating history, by becoming the latest in the list of the members of the FIBA Asia family to host an official competition.
Yangon, the capital of Myanmar will play is hosting to six teams representing nations belonging to the South East Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) in the 7th SEABA U18 Championship.
Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and hosts Myanmar fights in an effort to earn a qualification to represent SEABA in the 21st FIBA Asia U18 Championship to be held in Sanaa Yemen from Sept 22 Oct 1.
The top two teams from Myanmar will qualify for the Yemen Championship.
Terming the hosting of event in Myanmar as historical SEABA Secretary General Dato Yeoh Choo Hock said: The Myanmar Basketball Federation has taken every positive step to stage this championship in high notes. The government of Myanmar has provided all the support to that effect.
On behalf of SEABA, FIBA Asia and the basketball fraternity of Asia, I thank and congratulate the government of Myanmar for taking this positive and progressive step, added Dato Yeoh, also the FIBA Asia Secretary General.
The City of Yangon shall have the privilege to see young stars of South East Asia (SEA) nations performing in full sportsmanship. Myanmar has embarked on an elaborate program in the development of basketball and this occasion would enhance the standard of its basketball to greater heights, he said.
SEABA president Eric Thohir said: We are all looking forward to Myanmar hosting this event. This is an example for SEABAs continuous efforts to spread the base for basketball. I am sure Yangon will rise to the occasion and provide us with a very good championship.
We have six very competitive teams who are all well prepared and ready to showcase their talent. These youngsters will form the nucleus of SEABAs basketball future. I am excited at the talent and potential which will emerge out of Yangon.
FIBA Asia president Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al-Thani expressed his pleasure that more countries are coming forward to host events.
Playing and participating in an event is one thing. Willingness to host an event is a different cup of tea. The very fact that Myanmar have come forward to host an event shows their commitment to the development of the sport, Sheikh Saud.
This shows that more people are joining the basketball fraternity and are willing to work hard to spread the awareness about the sport wider, he said.
My heartfelt congratulations to MBF and SEABA for choosing to host this event in Yangon. I look forward to Myanmar making the best of this opportunity.
Courtesy of FIBA AsIa
