Let's Gather, Young Basketball Warriors!
- Janice Ooi
- Jul 14, 2022
- 3 min read
Basketball, a popular sports among the Chinese communities in Malaysia. However, is that really every person have the chance to get the proper training from experienced coaches since they are young? In order to let Penangites have the proper platform for traning, let us meet Mr. Ooi to know more about the Penang Junior Champions program!
HISTORY OF BASKETBALL IN MALAYSIA
In the early 20th century, basketball was first introduced by teachers who came from China into the Chinese schools in Malaysia. The game was mostly played on outdoor. Later, it spreads to the Chinese Sports Clubs, and in the early 1930's, the enthusiasm was aroused by the visits of University and Club teams from China and Hong Kong. Since then, the game has become one of the most popular sports among the Chinese communities in Malaysia.
In 1930s, Penang Amateur Basketball and Volleyball Association officially established. In 1997, Penang Basketball and Volleyball Association splited into two independent sporting bodies: Penang Basketball Association (PBA) and Penang Volleyball Association. The Penang Basketball Association organizes various intra-state tournaments such as U16 Tournament, U18 Tournament and many more. Penang Southwest District Basketball Association is one of the branches under the Penang Basketball Association.
MEET MR. OOI!
Mr. Ooi Chee Keong, 54, honarary treasurer of Penang Basketball Association and vice president of Penang Southwest District Basketball Association. He obtained his Level 3 IOC (International Olympics Committee) coaching certificate since 1994. He is also the person in-charge of Penang Junior Champions program.
WHAT IS PENANG JUNIOR CHAMPIONS (PJC) PROGRAM?
Penang Junior Champions (PJC) program session one are kicked off by Majlis Sukan Negeri Pulau Pinang (MSNPP) in January 2022 for duration of three months. MSNPP started with total nine sports at five districts and basketball are one of the sports. Penang Basketball Association are giving fully support on this program and provide coaches for the program.
The program involved four districts in Penang, which are Daerah Barat Daya (DBD), Daerah Timur Laut (DTL), Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) and Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT). This program aimed to provide accessible sports training throughout Penang and to raise and develop young talents to be future champions.
WHY ORGANISE PJC PROGRAM?
According to Ooi, Penang Basketball Association always gives full support to MSNPP for all kinds of grass root development programs. He believed that PJC program will create bigger pool of players from all places and different age groups. Other than that, this program allows children to build positive mind-set and teamwork.
"Throughout the systematic training provided by the experienced coach from association, we believe Penang team will be stronger and stronger in future, and we are able to compete in the National Basketball Championship"
DIFFICULTIES FACED
Ooi said there two biggest diffculties which are training venue and funds. There is no proper basketball shaded court in southwest district. Fortunately, MPKK Jalan Tengah Utara provides them with the Sunway Tunas basketball court. However, as there is not a shaded court, so the training need to be cancelled sometimes due to bad weather.
"I understand that right now the MPKK Jalan Tengah is applying the shaded court from state government, I hope their application can be success"
Second difficulty faced by PJC is funds. Ooi mentioned that they need funds to run the program in long-term. They works very hard to look for funding from all aspects that is able to support their program. Funds is needed for coaches' allowance, purchase of playing jersey and training equipment, and also organising game.
FUTURE PLAN
According to Ooi, the current 60 players in Sunway Tunas training centre will be break into two sessions in July, mainly age group of 7 to 9 and 10 to 12. Other than that, two PJC training center will be set up in next 3 months, located in Balik Pulau and Batu Maung. They target to have more than 100 players by the end of 2022.
Through this program, the U12 southwest district team will also be formed and provide intensive training to them. Ooi mentioned that the team shall be participate in the inter-district basketball championship.
"We will bring up the inter-district basketball championship to basketball association for further discuss and set it as a yearly event"
Have a look at this short documentary I made to get to know more about PJC Program!
Players aged between 7 to 12 who interested can scan the QR code in the poster below to register themselves in this program.
- Thanks for Reading! -
Sources:
Ooi Chee Keong (Interview)
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