Support flowing in for BABL

THE idea of setting up the Brunei Amateur Basketball League (BABL) has received plenty of positive response.

The Brunei Times reported on Tuesday that the BABL is in the works and is tentatively scheduled to begin in March next year.

The league, which is the first of its kind in the Sultanate, will be similar to the Asean Basketball League (ABL), and is open to any valid identity card holders in the country.

To spice things up and to make it more competitive, each team are allowed to field two international imports (without a valid Brunei IC), bounded by a contract.

Louise Wong, who is the organiser of the league, had said that the tournament will benefit the local cagers.

Here is what some of the Brunei basketball community told The Brunei Times of what they thought of the league:

"This is definitely a good idea to promote the sport but I think that trying to get the league started in March is pushing it. I don't think it is long enough because the organiser would require a lot of backing to get the staff in such a short period of time," said Kevin Reece, the national basketball coach.

"He (Louis) is a hard worker and he loves the game so it could still happen. Hopefully everything will go right and put everything in place to become a great league," he added.

Reece also advised teams that would be participating to get imports with height instead of getting those playing in the backcourt positions.

"I think that the rule should only allow one import to allow more locals on the floor each time. The imports should be big in size instead of guards since Brunei has a problem with height and it will definitely help every team," said the American.

"It will be exciting nonetheless and I take my hats off to him for organising this. We need more people like him to help in the development of the game and I wish him all the best," continued the 50-year-old.

Maxim Yap, a local coach, and Benjamin Lim believe that the league will let players train as a unit for longer periods.

"The BABL will change the mindset of players in Brunei. No more 'Let's train one or two sessions then win a tournament but let's train throughout the league and develop along the way to get into the playoffs'. Long term goals rather than short term," said Maxim Yap.

"This gives much more room for development. Furthermore, two imports to raise the competition levels but not dominate it. Locals will have to catch up with the goal of attaining a similar level of gameplay," he added.

"It is really good. With this league, the local players will improve. Instead of playing only in the annual Sultan's Cup whereby teams only train for weeks, the league will motivate players for continuous training especially for the younger generation," said Benjamin Lim.

National cager Choo Yung Jian thinks that the bar will be raised with the setting up of the league.

"It's a good idea because it will raise the standard of basketball in Brunei and this is the kind of exposure needed to be more competitive," said Choo.

"Since this is the first league of its own here, hopefully this will be the first step towards a bright basketball future in Brunei and I doubt that there will only be six teams in it," he added.

For another local coach, Wong Yee Chai, this will be a good platform to improve the standard of basketball in the country.

"This is a good opportunity for the local players and it is definitely a good idea. With this kind of tournament, it will help build a higher standard for the sport as well," said Yee Chai.

The Brunei Times