GEORGE TOWN: THE response was overwhelming. More than 180 teams showed up for the Youngsters 3-On-3 Streetball Challenge recently.
The event used to receive between 120 and 130 teams since its inauguration in 2010. But following a break last year, it seemed to have generated more interest.
The organisers were surprised to see such a big turnout though there were not many local teams due to the timing of the competition.
The competition was jointly organised by Sport Pro Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd and Youngsters Basketball Club Penang, who were celebrating their club’s 80th anniversary. Also joining in were the Penang Basketball Association and the state sports council.
Sports Pro marketing director Oon Phei San said the overwhelming response was very encouraging for the development of basketball in Penang.
Phei San said the organisers were also pleased to see many non-Chinese players putting up a good show in the competition.
“This time around there were players from Germany and Korea who are international students here.
“There was also a father and son team, former Malaysians but now Americans.
“We received teams from many states in the country, especially from Perak and Kedah,” said the ex-international.
“The biggest field was the boys' Under-16 category.”
State Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Chong Eng said the Penang government was committed to building sports facilities in the state.
She said her department was now conducting a survey on the sports facilities available in the state, and if necessary improve them.
The Youngsters 3-On-3 Streetball Challenge consisted of the Boys’ Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 and the Men’s Open categories, apart from the shooting competition, skills obstacles challenge and lucky draws.
The prizes for the Boys' categories were: champions — (M480 cash), vouchers worth RM600 and goodies; runners-up: RM360 cash, vouchers worth RM400 and goodies; third RM240 cash, vouchers worth RM200 and goodies.
For the Men’s Open, it was RM600, RM450 and RM300 cash, and vouchers worth RM600, RM400 and RM200 and goodies for the champions, second and third placed teams respectively.
RESULTS — Boys' Under-14 3rd-4th: Butterworth Boy 10 Water Loh 2.
Final: DLC 7 WU DI 5.
Under-16: 3rd-4th: Steam Boy 7 OKU is Loses 6.
Final: ZX Engineering `A' 12 ILBB 7.
Under-18 3rd-4th: PGD 8 Youngsters Ooi 6.
Final: Ping Thye Trading `A' 9 Bridge-Villusion 8.
Men’s Open 3rd-4th: USA 10 Racing Boy 4.
Final: MFace 360 7 Racing Boy Dunk 5.
Obstacles challenge: 1 Lee Zhi Hang (Dreamer), 2 Kang Jia Yang (Youngsters `A'), 3 Lim Kai Shen (Dreamer).
Shooting Competition Men: 1 Wong King Lee (Sub Beauty), 2 Kishen Numisuaran (Durant), 3 Lim Kar Enn (Teoh Lim Ng 16).