Due to my involvement in basketball, I constantly meet passionate, energetic, and vibrant athletes, coaches and officials. These vibrant groups choose to play or be involved in the game because “We love our sport.” There are no multimillion-dollar contracts, just pure fun and enjoyment. On the flip side, I also constantly encounter people who have a very narrow vision of what we do. They always say, “What do you get out of doing it?” I guess we have to work harder in expanding some people’s minds to show them how much fun basketball truly is.
Covid-19 has been a challenge for us b-ball lovers. In the first part of 2020, there were no major competitions, national and development programs, and most of the athletes have been doing their own training at home.
Pic courtesy of Owen Loh | Negeri Sembilan Basketball Association
Last month, for four consecutive three-day blocks (Friday, Sept 11th to Saturday, October 03rd 2020) I was invited to commentate at the 2020 Negri Sembilan Basketball League (NSBL). There were four men’s and women’s squads involved – eight teams. The players were a mixed group – current national team members, semi-retired national representatives, former players state players, and young up and coming talents.
The women’s category had Seven Star, Cangkat Hartamas, Matrix, and the MYKC Dragons. The men’s competition also had Cangkat Hartamas and Matrix but were also joined but the very youthful Horizon L&L and SP Maths. The Horizon men’s and Matrix women’s teams are the current Negri Sembilan SUKMA squads for next year’s Johor tournament.
The NSBL was not about rankings or crowning a champion. It was about returning to play, staying competitive and continuing the athletes’ basketball careers.
Pic courtesy of Owen Loh | Negeri Sembilan Basketball Association
Tournament owner and Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad Founder Dato’ Lee Tian Hock said, “After six months of MCO, we wanted to give our players a chance to play some competitive basketball again. The players were itching to play. So, we said, why not give them a tournament to refine their skills. It is not so much about winning, but more about developing and constantly growing. We had some money to spend so why not use it on developing our players and people.”
Due to Dato’s positive philosophy, none of the players were concerned about the colour of the medals that were placed around their necks. This tournament was about bouncing the ball again, making shots, and for the athletes to continue their journey.
Pic courtesy of Owen Loh | Negeri Sembilan Basketball Association
Remember, our sport is all about the word “TEAM” and not the letter “I” – the ideal life lesson for young Malaysian children.
Ben Ibrahim is a TV Commentator, Sports & Media Consultant. In his career, he has also worked for FIBA, FISU and Foxsports.
You can contact him on his public Facebook page or his Instagram @benibrahim_
