The nine teams from the Asean countries assemble after marching into the stadium.
KUCHING: Veteran basketball players from Asean countries have converged on Kuching for the five-day 24th Datuk Amar Wee Hood Teck Challenge Cup which started at the MBKS Indoor Stadium, Pending here on Tuesday night.
The nine participating teams are Asaba Jakarta and Pontianak Meteor from Indonesia; Kuala Lumpur 51, Miri Kinsa and Sarawak Hornbill (Malaysia); Zaap Sports Club and Hatyai (Thailand); FVCBA (the Philippines) and Brunei.
Tourism minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who officiated at the opening ceremony, called on the international players to visit various places of interests in the city.
“The city is clean with good environment and, more importantly, it is the diverse people of different races living together in peace like one family that define Kuching,” he added in his welcoming address.
Asean Veteran Basketball Committee president Mah Poi Seng raised the Asean flag during the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari and Datin Amar Kathryn Wee (wife of the late Datuk Amar Wee Hood Teck) each presented a grant of RM50,000 to the organising committee.
Also present was Temenggong Lu Kim Yong.