Thursday January 24, 2008
Small incentives spur cagers to give their best
BESIDES encouraging youths to adopt a healthy pursuit through basketball, the USJ6 Basketball Centre (U6BC) have been providing constant motivation to the cagers playing under their banner to do well in local competitions.
Although the rewards might not be substantial, they were enough to spur the players to give their best on court.
And, on Wednesday last week, U6BC patron Datuk Lee Hwa Beng gave away the incentives to the charges, who had accomplished respectable results for the team last season.
The U6BC players, administrators and associates were also treated to dinner.
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Champion side: Looi (second from left) presenting a token of appreciation to Hwa Beng while her teammates and team manager Loo (left) look on.
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U6BC adviser Yap Yun Fatt, U6BC chairman Loo Chin Oon, MPSJ councillor Lee You Hin, Nestle Products sports marketing manager Ng Ping Loong, F&N Coca-Cola Malaysia event and sponsorship manager Muhammad Fauzi Ahmad, Spalding Malaysia managing director Mike Gill and Spalding marketing manager Sukdev Seran also joined the celebration.
Hwa Beng saluted the U6BC team for their unflagging efforts to promote the game in their community.
The Subang Jaya assemblyman also acknowledged that his role in raising funds for the team to organise and compete in tournaments was less demanding than ensuring the programmes were carried out effectively.
Following the third place finish on their debut in the Sultan Cup women's competition in 2006, the Adun Subang Jaya women’s team, comprising 11 players, went on to capture the Kuala Lumpur Open in their first appearance at the meet in December last year.
The players shared the winners' purse of RM800.
Adun Subang Jaya women's coach Alvin Kwang said they were surprised by the good showing – without dropping a match in the round robin format competition – at the recent tournament.
“Initially, we were aiming only to finish third in the meet that drew seven teams. Considering that hosts Kuala Lumpur have been producing good results at grassroots level in the girls' section, our lasses showed plenty of character to claim the title.
“It was a joy to guide them because they displayed exceptional attitude and a strong desire to achieve good results. They were very committed in training, which made the coaching job very satisfying,” said Kwang, who was assisted by Yoa Kian Seng.
Senior player Chong Seow Wei said the twice-weekly regular training sessions at the U6BC outdoor court was one of the main reasons behind their success.
Adun Subang Jaya women's team captain Looi Swear Kean admitted they had survived a tough match in the tournament.
“Although we were well prepared, we knew that several of the Kuala Lumpur sides, with state and national players in their line-up, were tricky opponents. Overall, we are pleased with our performances, having maintained a clean track record and coming home without a defeat,” added Looi.
Meanwhile, members of the USJ6 men's team, who regained the Adun Subang Jaya Basketball Cup last year, received a pair of Spalding basketball shoes each for their feat.
“We appreciate the recognition from the sponsors. This year, we will be missing the services of several young players, as they will be going overseas to pursue their tertiary education. However, we will attempt to regroup most of the players to defend the title again,” said USJ6 captain Yio Lim Choong.
