KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Basketball Association (MABA) are targeting at least one gold medal or two silvers at the 2027 SEA Games, with the team for the 3x3 event identified as the main hope.
MABA president Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock said that, as such, they will get cracking right away despite there being nearly two years to go to the 2027 edition of the biennial Games.
"Since the 2027 edition will be held in Malaysia, we must set a higher target, thus we are eyeing either one gold or two silvers, at least… as we know our strengths and weaknesses. For the 5x5 event, our biggest threat will be the Philippines, so it will be difficult for us to triumph.
"Our best hope for gold is in the 3x3 event because our team are currently 11th in the world and have qualified for the 2026 (Glasgow) Commonwealth Games,” he said when met during the MABA dinner here yesterday.
Also present were Minister of Housing and Local Government Nga Kor Ming, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) vice-president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan, who is also the Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) president, OCM secretary-general Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali and the national cagers.
For the record, Malaysia returned home with two bronze medals in the men's and women's 3x3 event at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, with the home team bagging the men's gold and Indonesia triumphing in the women's category.
Meanwhile, Tian Hock said MABA had approved a RM7.3 million allocation for basketball activities this year, and will redouble their efforts to be well-prepared for the 2027 edition of the Games.
He added that MABA now have stable and strong financial resources to fund their activities, thus ensuring they are financially sustainable.
According to him, this is part of MABA's efforts to reduce dependency on government assistance and ease the country's financial burden.
"We are one of, if not the only, financially independent sports associations in Malaysia. Even without government contribution, we can still function and continue with our activities,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
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