COME and watch the Penang FIBA 3×3 Challenger at Queensbay Mall, at 11.30am this Saturday.
Sixteen international and local teams from the United States, Paris, Switzerland, Mongolia, Serbia, Japan, the Philippines, Qatar and Malaysia will be taking part in the challenge.
Besides the challenge, the grassroots tournaments for Boys U16, U19, and U23 and Girls U16 are taking place today and tomorrow, after the completion of the U12 basketball clinic yesterday (Sept 7).
World Hoops managing director Grace Khor thanked the Penang Youth and Sports Committee and the Penang Basketball Association for supporting the events, which were aimed at bringing people together and fostering unity.
“We are proud to bring the challenges for the fifth year,” she said in her speech today.
Penang Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said that basketball 3×3 is a sport discipline that is similar to any other kind of sport.
“It helps to build stamina, physical strength and develops a player’s skills in teamwork, coordination, accountability towards the team, and self-confidence.
“Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden once said that ‘sports do not build character, they reveal it’.
“I believe that by participating in sports at a young age, the youths can be exposed to adversity which enables them to understand that there will always be a winner and a loser in a game.
“It is okay to make mistakes, but most importantly, you must learn how to handle them,” he said.
Soon lauded the Penang Basketball Association and World Hoops for conducting a basketball clinic for more than 200 participants and grassroots tournaments for over 350 players.
“I cannot imagine the hard work they had put into them.
“The efforts by the coaches and trainers as well as supportive parents are highly appreciated. The dedication and perseverance of our aspiring players are commendable,” he said.
Soon later presented the medals to the young achievers of the U12 basketball clinic.
Also present were Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan, Penang Basketball Association president Datuk Ooi Khoon Yeong, and Penang State Sports Council director Harry Chai.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting