KUCHING: Sarawak will face tough battles in the coming 49th Maba National Under 17 Basketball Championship in Kelantan from Nov 17 to 27.
The state team were drawn in Group C together with Selangor, Johor and Perak while Group A will have last year’s runners-up Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Negeri Sembilan.
In Group B, the teams are last year’s third placing Kedah, Sabah, Melaka and three-time champion Kelantan.
Defending champions Pahang had withdrawn from the competition as well as hosting the championship, citing internal and organisational problems.
Sarawak’s girls team also did not get a favourable draw, having grouped together with last year’s third placing Johor, Penang and Terengganu.
Selangor, who were champions for four consecutive times, are drawn in Group A which include Kedah, Sabah and Kelantan.
The teams in Group B are seven times champion Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan.