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Sports

Tuesday September 15, 2009

KL Dragons to start against Brunei Barracudas

By S. RAMAGURU

KUALA LUMPUR: It’s all systems go for the inaugural Asean Basketball League (ABL).

The league, featuring six teams owned by individuals, kicks off on Oct 10 in Jakarta and the first match in Malaysia will be held on Oct 14.

KL Dragons are the Malaysian team in the fray. The others are Brunei Barracudas, the Philippine Patriots, Satria Muda BritAma of Indonesia, Thailand Tigers and Singapore Slingers.

“The ABL is in the infant stage and a lot of fine tuning needs to be done on the rules and regulations,” said the ABL chief executive officer Kuhan Foo in a briefing for the local media yesterday.

“But the league will start as scheduled and finish in December with the grand Finals. The strategic plans and the business plans are already in place and we are confident that this will be a lasting event.

Much to say: ABL CEO Kuhan Foo speaking during a press conference at Boulevard Hotel at Midvalley Monday. — SIA HONG KIAU / The Star

“The owners have assured us that they will stay with the teams even if they do not break even or make a profit in the first year.

“This is good as we can build on the ABL and grow stronger with each passing year. After all, it is a new concept in this part of the world and I am sure we will make it a success.”

KL Dragons will play against Brunei Barracudas in their opening match at the MABA Stadium.

The league take a home-and-away match format and the top four qualify for the semi-finals.

Kuhan said that tickets would be sold for admission to matches and they are priced at a flat rate of RM20 for the KL Dragons’ home fixtures.

“There is a possibility that we may switch the venue of the Malaysian matches to the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil if the response is good,” he said.

“The opening match (of the ABL) on Oct 10 will showcase the Philippines Patriots against the Indonesians. The two countries have a big following for basketball and we hope to see a big turnout for the match.

“We have also been able to get television stations to telecast the matches, including ESPN. Some will be highlights while certain countries will go for a live feed.”

Each club in the ABL must have seven local players and three others from the South-East Asian region. They are allowed to have two internationals and a salary cap will be imposed on them.

Teams have until the end of the month to finalise their line-ups.

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