Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Basketball Association Cup (Saba Cup) 2013 will be held at the DBKK Community Hall here from July 10 to 16.It will be organised by the Kota Kinabalu Basketball Association (KKBA), who took over the host job from Semporna due the Lahad Datu incident. Chen Ee Sheng from KKBA said due to security reasons, KKBA has been given the task to host the annual championship.
"This time around, we hope the championship, which is arguably the most prestigious basketball tournament in Sabah, will attract more teams," said Chen at a press conference yesterday.
"We are hoping all of the SBA 17 affiliate members will be competing," he added.
Chen revealed that last year, the championship that was held in Tenom attracted a total of 11 teams competed in the men's category and another four in the women events where Kota Kinabalu bagged a double. Then, their men's team defeated Kinabatangan 81-49 for their first successful title defence.
Their women's team topped the four-team standings to eventually lift the crown for the fourth consecutive time. For the record, the 17 district bodies affiliated to SBA are Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Kinabatangan, Beaufort, Labuan, Keningau, Tenom, Kudat, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Tuaran, Sipitang, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau, Semporna and Papar.
Chen added that, SBA will be using the championship to select players to represent the State teams for this year's Agong Cup, which will be hosted by Sabah next August.
"The SBA has been given the honour to stage the prestigious Agong Cup and they have chosen Tawau to be the venue," Chen said.
This time around, both the Sabah's men and women teams will be featuring in the Division I after gaining promotion last year.
In other development, Chen also revealed that the KKBA will be celebrating its 55th anniversary celebrations cum 28th KKBA Executive Council Installation Night (2013/2014) on June 29, 2013 at the Dewan Hakka.
According to Chen, who is also the organising chairman of the event, KKBA is one of the oldest associations in the State.
"We will be selling tables at RM1,000 per table. We are urging the public to witness this so called historical occasion and at the same time contribute towards a good cause of helping to promote the sport of basketball to greater heights," said Chen.
SBA President Phan Chee Yong and KKBA Chairman Fung Chun Fatt were also present at the function.
For more details contact Chen at 019-8215213.
