http://www.abalive.com/news/releases...=2008030506005
Sounds good, although I must say that, out of 100 promises the ABA says, normally you would only expect <10 to be realized...
ABA SETS SIGHTS ON ADDITIONAL SE ASIAN EXPANSION
05-Mar-2008
Singapore -- The American Basketball Association has announced that it plans to increase its operations in SE Asia with the development of a group of regional teams which will not only compete with one another, but will play US and Canada-based teams next season.
The league is winding up a very successful season with the Beijing Aoshen Olympian team, currently ranked # 2 in the ABA, that has been based in Singapore for the past six months. US and Canada teams have been competing against the Olympian, which features two Chinese National Team players that will be competing in the Summer Olympics this August in Beijing. The Olympian has provided exciting, fast-paced basketball entertainment to Singaporeans and the expat community there. "The past games played in Singapore have showcased the ABA and how we bring basketball to the community," said Tom Chichester, Director of SE Asia Development. "The Singapore games have served as the model for the ABA in the region and how we will bring this to the rest of Asia. The ABA rules are different and makes the game much faster."
According to Chichester, the ABA is meeting with the Singapore Sports Council shortly to formally present its plans for the regional professional league which includes the development of a dedicated ABA arena, a television agreement and has already started to appoint an advisory board to assist the league development.
"What we see which interests us is the ABA is not just a spectator sport, it is something which directly assists the training and development of Asian basketball. This is because our teams can participate and compete with other ABA teams, not just watch them," said investment banker and sports marketing guru Paul Monozca, Chairman of the Dr. AB Monozca Foundation, who was appointed to the Indianapolis -based board for SE Asia Development. Monozca is a patron of Philippine pro, amateur and national players who play in Singapore and is known for his high-profile fund raisers in various sports.
The ABA is looking at six countries to participate in the annual league for Asia and a generous purse for the top three finishers. The champion team will complete in the asian finals and on to the global finals which is being held in Quebec, Canada this year. There is also an ABA All Star game where fans can pick their players (to be in Barre, Vermont this year) and asian players will be eligible for the All Star team.
With the development of Singapore's Sports Hub, it is no surprise that high-profile league events such as the ABA have chosen to launch its plans in Asia and Singapore is the first stop.
For more information, email Ms. Kristine Ong at pr@parmon.com or Tom Chichester at tcrefaba@frontiernet.net.
05-Mar-2008
Singapore -- The American Basketball Association has announced that it plans to increase its operations in SE Asia with the development of a group of regional teams which will not only compete with one another, but will play US and Canada-based teams next season.
The league is winding up a very successful season with the Beijing Aoshen Olympian team, currently ranked # 2 in the ABA, that has been based in Singapore for the past six months. US and Canada teams have been competing against the Olympian, which features two Chinese National Team players that will be competing in the Summer Olympics this August in Beijing. The Olympian has provided exciting, fast-paced basketball entertainment to Singaporeans and the expat community there. "The past games played in Singapore have showcased the ABA and how we bring basketball to the community," said Tom Chichester, Director of SE Asia Development. "The Singapore games have served as the model for the ABA in the region and how we will bring this to the rest of Asia. The ABA rules are different and makes the game much faster."
According to Chichester, the ABA is meeting with the Singapore Sports Council shortly to formally present its plans for the regional professional league which includes the development of a dedicated ABA arena, a television agreement and has already started to appoint an advisory board to assist the league development.
"What we see which interests us is the ABA is not just a spectator sport, it is something which directly assists the training and development of Asian basketball. This is because our teams can participate and compete with other ABA teams, not just watch them," said investment banker and sports marketing guru Paul Monozca, Chairman of the Dr. AB Monozca Foundation, who was appointed to the Indianapolis -based board for SE Asia Development. Monozca is a patron of Philippine pro, amateur and national players who play in Singapore and is known for his high-profile fund raisers in various sports.
The ABA is looking at six countries to participate in the annual league for Asia and a generous purse for the top three finishers. The champion team will complete in the asian finals and on to the global finals which is being held in Quebec, Canada this year. There is also an ABA All Star game where fans can pick their players (to be in Barre, Vermont this year) and asian players will be eligible for the All Star team.
With the development of Singapore's Sports Hub, it is no surprise that high-profile league events such as the ABA have chosen to launch its plans in Asia and Singapore is the first stop.
For more information, email Ms. Kristine Ong at pr@parmon.com or Tom Chichester at tcrefaba@frontiernet.net.
Comment