Latest news with #MABA
The Star
09-08-2025
- Sport
- The Star
MABA await approval of three naturalised cagers to boost SEA Games medal hopes
PETALING JAYA: Time is ticking for the Malaysian Basketball Association (MABA) but they remain hopeful that their three naturalised players will get government approval in time to compete at the Thailand SEA Games. MABA president Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock said the association have set a target of two medals from the SEA Games from Dec 9-20, and believes the inclusion of these players will be crucial in achieving the goal.
New Straits Times
09-08-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysian basketball adopts Harimau Malaya's naturalisation playbook
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian basketball is taking a leaf out of Harimau Malaya's playbook, with three foreign-born players in line to don national colours at the Thailand SEA Games in December in a bid to secure medals. The Malaysia Basketball Association (MABA) has applied to the Home Ministry to naturalise two male players and one female player. All three have completed their interviews, and MABA is now awaiting approval. MABA president Datuk Lee Tian Hock said the association has also appealed to the Youth and Sports Ministry to help speed up the process. While Tian Hock declined to name the players, it is understood they are Republic of Congo's Tychique Bosango, Nigerian Joseph Obasa and Aalia Carlson, who has Malaysian-American parentage. "We hope the Youth and Sports Ministry can advise the Home Ministry to expedite the process," Tian Hock said after a signing ceremony between basketball retailer Hoops Station and sports brand Rigorer on Saturday. Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves attended the event. 'We were hoping to have them granted passports early this year to integrate with the men's and women's teams ahead of the SEA Games. "The aim is to give both our teams a better chance against bigger, more physical opponents. If we don't get the approvals in time, we'll proceed with our local players, who have been training together since the last Games." At the 2023 Phnom Penh edition, Malaysia claimed a bronze through the women's 5-on-5. This year in Thailand, Tian Hock wants medals in all four events — men's and women's 5-on-5 and 3x3. "In 2023, we targeted one medal and achieved it. This time, we're aiming higher. We're putting pressure on ourselves, but that's the only way to improve." he said. The national teams have had overseas stints, including a recent trip to Taiwan and are set to play in a tournament in China as part of their SEA Games preparations. Tian Hock believes the exposure will help the teams adapt to the physicality of regional competition. "Over the past two or three years, our players have lost the fear of facing taller, stronger opponents," he added. "We just need that extra edge in rebounding and strength, and these naturalised players can give us that." Harimau Malaya, the national men's football team, have been naturalising foreign and heritage-born players for the past decade — a strategy that helped Malaysia end their 43-year wait to qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup in Doha.
The Star
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Basketball great See Wah passes away at 85
Former national basketball coach Tan See Wah (third from left sitting) with the women's team for 2005 Thailand SEA Games. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia lost a basketball icon with the passing of Tan See Wah, the only coach in the country with nine SEA Games gold medals. See Wah, who passed away on Tuesday at 85, served as deputy secretary-general of Malaysia Basketball Association (MABA) for 16 years before being appointed secretary-general from 2008 to 2010. His tenure marked a critical period of consolidation and growth. Notably, he played a key role in securing continued corporate support, successfully negotiating with Petronas – Maba's Rakan Sukan since 1995 – to renew their partnership for another five years before the original agreement expired in 2010. See Wah is also a former national player himself from 1965 to 1969 but it is in coaching where he became one of the most accomplished names in South-East Asian women's basketball. He began coaching the Pahang women's team in 1973, leading them to national titles from 1973 to 1975 and again in 1989. Then he moved on to the national team set-up, serving as the assistant coach of the Malaysia women's national basketball team during their historic run of five consecutive SEA Games gold medals between 1977 and 1985. As head coach, he led the team to another glorious four consecutive SEA Games golds from 1997 to 2007 – thus making him perhaps the only coach of a national team sport to have won nine SEA Games gold medals. Under his leadership, Malaysia's women's team also qualified for the eighth World Championship for women in 1979, making the cut with a fourth place finish at the 1978 Asian Basketball Championship in Kuala Lumpur. At the world meet in Seoul, the team achieved a proud victory over Senegal, the South Africa champion, finishing 11th out of 12. Outside basketball, coach See Wah was a dedicated educator. He taught Mathematics, Science and English in schools across Terengganu and Pahang from 1964 to 1995, shaping not only athletes but also young minds and character. His coaching philosophy and methods earned him recognition beyond Malaysia. He was frequently invited by FIBA (International Basketball Federation) to conduct coaching clinics abroad, including at the National Coaches Conference in Ireland in 2004. He was also the first Malaysian coach to publish a book on basketball tactics and coaching philosophies, contributing to the sport's development beyond national borders. Maba president Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock paid tribute, saying See Wah's life was a testament to unwavering dedication, humility and excellence. "He not only raised champions on the court but also shaped generations of athletes, educators and leaders through his work in basketball and education. "His spirit, wisdom and legacy will remain forever in the heart of Malaysian basketball," he said.
New Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
The passing of Malaysia's basketball philosopher
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan See Wah, a venerated national basketball coach and philosopher, died on Monday at the age of 84. See Wah dedicated more than five decades to the sport — as a national player, coach, and respected administrator. He played a pivotal role in guiding the national women's team to nine SEA Games gold medals — five as assistant coach from 1977 to 1985, and another four as head coach from 1997 to 2007. Beyond the court, See Wah was a dedicated educator. From 1964 to 1995, See Wah taught mathematics, science, and English in schools across Terengganu and Pahang, shaping young minds as well as athletes. Malaysia Basketball Association (MABA) president Datuk Lee Tian Hock paid tribute to the late See Wah, who raised champions not only on the court but also in the classroom. "Coach See Wah's life was a testament to unwavering dedication, humility and excellence," said Tian Hock. "He not only raised champions on the court, but also shaped generations of athletes, educators and leaders through his work in basketball and education." A national player from 1965 to 1969, See Wah quickly became one of Southeast Asia's most successful coaches in the women's game. He helped Malaysia qualify for the women's 1979 World Championship in South Korea, after a fourth-place finish at the 1978 Asian Championship in Kuala Lumpur. In Seoul, Malaysia recorded a famous win over African champions Senegal to finish 11th overall. See Wah, who was MABA secretary-general from 2008 to 2010, conducted coaching clinics abroad for world body FIBA and was the first Malaysian coach to publish a book on basketball tactics and philosophy.
The Guardian
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Things can only get better with less noise in Leicester Square
Your report ('This platform gave me everything': street performers rue end of busking at Leicester SquareReport, 17 April) on the end of busking in Leicester Square, London, gave no real indication of the impact of the amplified music on those working nearby. Our 2023 report on busking noted music levels there above 100 decibels, louder than an aircraft landing. The court rightly ruled that this was unacceptable. For those disturbed by the noise, in the words of the song, 'things can only get better'.John StewartChair, UK Noise Association Might not the problem of noisy street performers be solved by banning amplification, especially singing or playing along to backing tracks, which is really just karaoke?Ian WatsonGlasgow Keith Langton says he needs a signal to others that he is not just a dotty old bloke talking to himself when using his hearing aid to take a phone call (Letters, 13 April). This works both ways. If you like talking to yourself when out and about, stick in your earbuds and everyone will assume you're on the JacobLondon As Liz Truss is so proud of her Yorkshire roots, may I suggest that T'Witter might be an option for the name of her planned social media platform (Letters, 16 April). Ian Grieve Gordon Bennett, Llangollen canal I am thinking of getting a red baseball cap inscribed 'MABA', and a matching T-shirt inscribed 'Make America Behave Again'.Robin M WhiteBroughty Ferry, Dundee A plea to people in the US: please Make America Boring ColsonLondon Do you have a photograph you'd like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers' best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays.
