UNITY THE WAY FORWARD

New basketball boss says ecosystem key to plans that include push for 3x3 pro teams

- David Lee Senior Sports Correspondent

With the sport in turmoil recently owing to match-fixing allegations and upheaval in the Basketball Association of Singapore (BAS) board, newly appointed president Seah Liang Bing has stepped in to try and steady the ship, calling for “unity to drive Singapore basketball to the next level”.

The 68-year-old former international referee, who owns a workplace safety and health consultation company, told The Straits Times: “There are ad-hoc issues and problems that we will solve in time to come, but we must also keep working to take Singapore basketball to greater heights.

“To do so, the ecosystem — from national sports agency Sport Singapore, BAS, clubs, players, parents, fans and other stakeholders — must be united.”

In August, several National Basketball League Division 1 players were hauled up by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau for investigations over alleged match-fixing.

In the fallout, defending champions Adroit were deemed to have fielded suspended players in their semifinal win over Siglap and saw vehement appeals thrown out as the club were disqualified.

That left the final in limbo as the BAS has to decide whether to award the championship to the other finalists Eng Tat Hornets, or schedule a final between Eng Tat and Siglap.

Seah reiterated BAS’ zero-tolerance policy for match-fixing activities and urged all players, referees and officials to report any suspicious activities.