The nationwide affiliate members visitation conducted by the Malaysia Basketball Association (MABA) ended on a high note today when the association made its 18th and a final stop to the Negeri Sembilan Basketball Association (NSBA).
Led by MABA president Dato’ Seri Lee Tian Hock, the visit, started early this year, was to enable MABA affiliates to have a better understanding of MABA’s plans and direction for the next six years. The visit was also meant to strengthen and deepen the friendship and bilateral ties between MABA and all its affiliate members.
During those visits, both MABA’s and the affiliate members’ management were given the opportunity to share and exchange information among themselves.
As for today’s visit to NSBA, Dato’ Seri Lee shared with them the five pilot projects that the association will be implementing for the upcoming six years to restore the lost glory of MABA as well as take the sport of basketball to a new level.
Among the five pilot projects are the modernisation of the MABA building to ensure financial stability and strong financial resources, grassroots development, naturalisation of foreign players, the launching of a professional basketball league and winning the gold medal at the upcoming SEA Games.
Dato’ Seri Lee mentioned that although most of the projects were started early in the year, some of them are showing encouraging results, particularly in the ongoing professional basketball league, Major Basketball League Malaysia, which received overwhelming responses from basketball fans nationwide.
“Although there are only six teams participating in the inaugural league, each game attracted large numbers of fans to buy tickets to witness first-hand some of the thrills of the games,” Dato’ Seri Lee said.
Elaborating further on the importance of a professional basketball league, Dato’ Seri Lee said it will also help some of the players to have a sustainable life after their athletic career lifetime.
During the visit, Dato’ Seri Lee also revealed to NSBA management that they have found a developer that is interested in entering into a joint venture with MABA to rebuild the building and stadium.
“If this development project is carried out successfully, it will yield good results for MABA because not only will MABA’s financial capability be strengthened with a financial injection of RM170 million, but this collaboration will also enable MABA to have a comprehensive sports centre that is equipped with various sports facilities and meet international standards.
“At the same time, if the project is successfully carried out, each affiliate member will receive an annual activity grant of RM200,000 as well as funding for the construction of a basketball complex of RM5 million with a seating capacity of around 1,000,” Dato’ Seri Lee added.
Before the briefing ended, NSBA president Dato Tiger Lee thanked MABA for making the trip as well as shared with them some of the glorious histories of the association and extended their appreciation towards Dato’ Seri Lee as the association’s patron for his generosity in donating RM4 million annually as the fund to enable the state team to achieve formidable results in major tournaments.
大马篮总代表团在总会长拿督斯里李典和率领下，于今日出访森美兰篮球总会，这也是本会史上首创的拜访全国各属会的第18站也就是最后一站。拿督斯里李典和作为有史以来首位进行全国拜访的大马篮总总会长，与全国州篮总、联邦直辖区篮总以及警察部队与武装部队篮总进行了密切的交流及巩固双边关系。此次随行的还包括副会长傅添加先生、秘书长陈其贤先生、署理秘书长沈新兴先生以及柔佛篮总会长拿督林文忠与纳闽篮总会长张志煌等人。
在汇报会交流中，总会长介绍本会的五大计划-以产业养会，实现自给自足，深层次基层培训与推广、解决外籍球员归化问题、全面落实职业篮球联赛和实现东运会夺取金牌。
拿督斯里李典和表示他的篮球偶像就是曾经于60、70年代率领森美兰女队完成十连冠的前国家女篮头号球星吴春仪（Annie Goh）。但吴春仪虽然为了大马篮运贡献了自己的一生，但由于当年国手的收入非常微薄，缺乏完善的福利制度，导致她晚年落得凄凉下场，因此职业联赛是必须落实的，这才能为球员们的生活带来保障。
首创的大马篮球联赛MBL已于11月份举办，首届赛会共有6队参加，每站赛事都吸引大批球迷买票观赛，成绩令人鼓舞。
拿督斯里李典和也透露有一家大型发展商有意发展大马篮总地段。该发展商如接手，可以让本会获得丰厚盈利，而大马篮总就可以再物色合适地点建立符合国际水准的大型室内篮球馆以及周边包含各种齐全设施包括宿舍、会议厅、餐饮等的篮球园区。届时本会收入将激增，将让本会未来财务无后顾之忧。
拿督斯里李典和也提到，如果以产业养会的大型计划能落实，每个属会将获得每年20万令吉的常年活动拨款。此外，大马篮总还会提供多达500万令吉的拨款予各属会用来兴建篮球馆，让旗下18个属会都能拥有属于自己的至少能容纳千人的篮球馆。若这梦想实现，将让各属会拥有足以举办全国赛和各大赛事的硬体设施，各属会才能走在发展的正轨上。
森美兰篮总会长拿督李银芳感谢大马篮总代表团远道而来，他也借此向与会者介绍该会的辉煌历史，而居功至伟的就是年捐献逾400万令吉的该会大金主拿督斯里李典和，让森球队能横扫各项重要赛事。