Malaysian basketball has talent from all ethnicities, says Wee

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s basketball scene is not monopolised by one but has talents from all communities, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The MCA president said Malaysia has highly skilled basketball players like former national women’s basketball team captain Nur Izzati Yaakob and R. Kalaimathi, who won gold medals in the 2015 and 2017 SEA Games.

“For the men’s national basketball team, former captain K. Satyaseelan and former player Gugani have also brought glory to our country on the international front,” said Dr Wee in a Facebook post on Saturday (Jan 22).

The Transport Minister said he and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah attended an annual dinner organised by the Malaysian Basketball Association (Maba) in conjunction with Chinese New Year at the Westin Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

“Congratulations to Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock who has been selected as the new Maba president,” he said.

He added that secretary-general Tan Kee Hian and his assistant Sunny San were also former national basketball players who have contributed to the development of the sport.

“Under Lee’s leadership and the vast experience from Maba’s committee, the basketball scene in Malaysia can develop further and achieve greater success in future,” Dr Wee said.