You are here: Home > News & media >
Monthly archives
After 4 weekends of intense competition, the Wheelchair Basketball League 2007 finally closed with a bang on the night of 29 September. The final weekend saw three exciting matches that crowned Lanyat as the champions of this inaugural league, Gatecrashers as the first runner-up and Powershot Rollers in the third placing.
Lanyat, under the lead of veteran Dexter Goh, emerged champions by a vast difference of 53-33, despite being up against strong rival Gatecrashers, which was under the lead of the young and driven Choo Poh Choon. Both teams had not lost a single match in the previous three weekends. Although sayings were afloat that the odds were on Gatecrashers emerging as the champion, Lanyat pulled through with their camaraderie spirit, surprising many with their fierce attacks.
Gatecrashers thus emerged first runner-up, while Powershot Rollers took second runners-up with a close score of 33 - 28.
Besides the three thrilling matches, both spectators and players were treated to novelties that brought much laughter and hilarious moments during the recreational time before the final champion battle.
Members of the public and players were invited to participate in a three-point challenge, where they got three tries to score a three-pointer on a wheelchair. It was certainly not an easy task for most as shooting from a wheelchair required a different height gauge as well as more strength. There was no lack of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ as less than one-third of the participants managed to walk away with Adidas goodies such as Frisbees, wallets and water bottles.
After the public challenge, spectators were treated to an entertaining match between the staff from sponsoring company, SKF South East Asia and Pacific, and special guests, Singapore Slingers. The Singapore Slingers were around to lend their support for the local wheelchair basketball league with encouragement from CEO Bob Turner, who was previously the Paralympic coach for Australian top team, Rollers, in 2000. Spectators thus were privileged to meet with high profile players from the local basketball team like Ben Knight, Mike Helms, Koh Meng Koon, Rod Grizzard, Michael Wong and John Fitzgerald. While Rod was busying himself taking memorable pictures of the league, Ben, who literally towered over everyone in the hall, was instructing the Slingers team who were on court to challenge the SKF players. The match was made all the more alive with tips shouted by ex-Swiss wheelchair basketball coach Bridgette, who was there to advise the wheelchair basketball teams, as well as hilarious wheeling actions by Mike Helms, who was attempting very hard to race after the ball on his wheelchair.
The night ended with a meaningful prize presentation to the top three teams of the league, by Mr Anil Gupta, Finance and HR director of SKF South East Asia and Pacific. The three teams were awarded with medals, cash prizes ranging from S$500 to S$1000 as well as Adidas vouchers ranging from S$10 to S$50 per player. Mr Tan Ju Seng, President of the SDSC, presented the final honor – the Wheelchair Basketball League Challenge Trophy – to champion team Lanyat, as organizer of the event.
All spectators and players went home happily laden with goodies, as well as unforgettable memories. The Singapore Slingers also gave out complimentary tickets to the audience for their October 2 game against the Wildcats. Tickets were snapped up within minutes of the announcement.
As the Wheelchair Basketball League officially closed for 2007, Mr Frankie Thanapal Sinniah, Organizing Chairman and Chairman of SDSC’s Disability Sports Sub-Committee, also announced the handover of reins to the new Wheelchair Basketball Association (Singapore). The WBA will hence be heading the promotion and continuation of the development of wheelchair basketball in Singapore, with support from the SDSC.