Fadhil Yunus
The much-anticipated You-C1000 Basketball Cup 2022 finally tipped off amid much fanfare at the Brunei Basketball Association (BBA) Court in Batu Bersurat last night.
Permanent Secretary (Administration, Finance and Estate) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud was the guest of honour. The first matches between Yi’s Nation and Unity and TK Tea House and Fateh Sdn Bhd in Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ respectively got the popular tournament underway.
The ceremony commenced with the singing of the national anthem followed by welcoming remarks by BBA Deputy President Lim Boon Teck.
He said, “The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a huge challenge for the BBA and the Brunei community. We are fortunate that under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, citizens and residents of Brunei were able to overcome these challenges relatively unscathed.”
The deputy president also shared that all spectators must wear face masks while players are required to undergo antigen rapid test (ART) before matches.
Darren Yap read the oath on behalf of the players.
Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal was introduced to the teams and received a memento as a token appreciation from BBA President Goh Kiat Hing.
The You-C1000 Basketball Cup marked the resumption of the basketball season after restrictions on organising sports competitions were lifted earlier this month.
The tournament will conclude with the final on July 17.
Easyway are the defending champions after defeating TK Teahouse 123-72 in the final last year.
The competition continues tonight with Easyway beginning their title defence against Chill in Group ‘A’ while the later tip-off will see Patriots face Burger King in Group ‘C’.
