THE national men's basketball team stands a good chance of securing a medal at the SEA Games in Bangkok next year.
Malaysian Basketball Association (Maba) president, Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock said there was no specific target for the team, but it would be sufficient if they could secure a medal win.
"Let us not be overly ambitious. I would be delighted with a medal," he said at the Maba annual dinner recently.
He said the team's chances were not too bright in previous editions of the games as other countries had naturalised players which made it tough for the Malaysians.
Lee said Thailand may have rules that do not allow naturalised players to compete.
However, mixed heritage players are allowed to play.
"There are many players in Thailand who are of mixed parentage and this will be an advantage to them.
"As for our side, we do not have any naturalised players which is because only players who have played in the country for five years can be granted citizenship," he said.
Lee said most foreign players do not want to be naturalised in Malaysia as they do not want to give up their original citizenship.
"We do not recognise dual nationalities so we do not focus on looking for foreign players.
"However, we do look out for tall players like Sharwhin Sivaragu who is 2.08 metres tall and has been playing for NS Matrix for the last five years," he said.
Lee said he expected Sharwhin to be ready to play in the SEA Games in the next two years.
The last time the men's team won a SEA Games medal was during the 2007 SEA Games in Korat, Thailand where they won a bronze. - The Vibes, January 31, 2024
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