THE 56th MABA/Matrix Under-17 Youth Championship ended on a successful note this evening with participants bringing priceless experiences and friendships home with them.
After nine days of exciting matches which saw 35 teams (19 Boys teams and 16 Girls teams) vying to be the best of the best, the championship has finally come to an end.
The Penang Under-17 Boys team grabbed third place after defeating the Johor 1 team in a nail-biting match this afternoon.
Both teams had an equal chance of winning when they levelled at 70-70 with only 2mins and 39secs remaining.
The match became even more exciting when the Penang team extended their lead to 77-72 with just less than a minute remaining.
Before the end of the match, the players from Penang managed to score an additional four points through a two-point shot, and free-throws. The final score was Penang 81-72 Johor 1.
Meanwhile, the Under-17 Boys finals saw Selangor 1 emerging as the champion team after defeating Kuala Lumpur 68-58.
Penang Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said the championship has managed to attract participating teams from all over Malaysia.
“The tournament is a good platform to unearth new talents among the youths. It is also a good platform for the players to upskill and foster friendships with other basketball players.
“This championship is in line with the state’s Sports for All initiative, which is aimed at fostering healthy and active habits.
“The Penang government supports youth and sports activities because they can contribute towards improving physical and mental health, unity, and well-being of the rakyat,” Soon said in his speech before closing the championship at Han Chiang Indoor Stadium today.
Soon, who represented Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the event, also announced that the Chief Minister has approved an allocation of RM50,000 in support of the 56th MABA/Matrix Under-17 Youth Championship.
“We hope that with the state government’s support, talent in basketball will continue to grow in Penang,” Soon said.
Negeri Sembilan Under-17 Girls duo, Joey Sim and Sammi Tan, made their state proud when they swept the entire Under-17 Girls individual awards.
Sim was named the winner of the Top Scorer, Top Assist, and Top Defensive Player Awards; while Tan was named the winner of Top Rebounder, Most Potential Player, and Final Best Player Awards.
Penang Under-17 Boys player Ng Hee Wei was named the winner of the Top Defender Player Award.
Yap Jin Xi from Selangor 1 was named the winner of the Under-17 Boys Final Best Player and Top Rebounder Awards.
Lee Yong Ding from Kuala Lumpur won the Top Scorer, Top Assist, and Most Potential Player Awards.
Also present were Malaysia Basketball Association (MABA) president Datuk Seri Lee Thian Hock, MABA deputy president and Penang Basketball Association chairman Datuk Ooi Khoon Yeong, and Penang Basketball Association vice-chairman and organising committee chairman Datuk Khor Siang Gin.
The results:
Under-17 Boys:
Champion (RM5,000 cash, trophy and medals) – Selangor 1
Second (RM2,500 cash, trophy and medals)– Kuala Lumpur
Third (RM1,000 cash, trophy and medals) – Penang
Fourth (RM500 cash and trophy) – Johor 1
Under-17 Girls:
Champion (RM5,000 cash, trophy and medals) – Negeri Sembilan
Second (RM2,500 cash, trophy and medals) – Selangor 1
Third (RM1,000 cash, trophy and medals) – Perak
Fourth (RM500 cash and trophy) – Selangor 2
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Siew Chia En and My All Sports