The basketball fraternity in Malaysia are joining arms in solidarity in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic with a “United in Isolation” movement.
Initiated by the Hatchers Sports Club, a Kuala Lumpur-based team that focus on empowering Malaysian women cagers, the movement has gained traction in a short span of time.
The movement typically involves players sharing a picture of themselves on social media with the message ‘United in Isolation’.
The initiative has received positive responses with the national men and women’s players all participating.
It has also reached the basketball community overseas with players from Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia also participating.
“At Hatchers, our vision is to make basketball in Malaysia a fun and popular sport whilst also promoting the Malaysian basketball brand to Asia and the world,” said Hatchers secretary Lim Hui Qi.
“Thus under our club president Law Wai Fun, we came up with this movement to unite the basketball community and also to share some positive vibes.
“One of the reasons is because the basketball community here is very splintered, so we felt this was a good time for unity, especially we’re all under the Movement Control Order (MCO) and can only stay home.
“Additionally, we also wanted to do our part to educate our players and the community at large regarding this Covid-19 situation.
“We are surprised that this movement has received good response.”
Among the prominent players to throw their support are KL Dragons captain Kuek Tian Yuan, national team members — Wong Yi Hou, Perry Lim, Tai Chia Qian and Yap Fook Yee, and Hatchers captain Ooi Poh Yee.
Tian Yuan said: “I think this is a very good initiative, which is why I am giving them my support.
“I definitely hope to see more players throw in their support as well. I hope it doesn’t limit to just basketball players.”