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New basketball league launched in the UAE
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3 February 2011 |
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After the 22nd Dubai International Basketball Championship saw Philippine team Smart Gilas capture second place, Filipino fans in the UAE have another tournament to look forward to - the inaugural PBBL-Western Union Hard Court Challenge.
The event will kick-off on Friday, February 10 and will be played for the following 20 weeks at the Dubai Club for Special Sports (formerly known as Dubai Handicap Club) in Al Nahda, with 34 teams vying for basketball supremacy.
The league, duly sanctioned by the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, aims to build closer ties within the Filipino community and to foster strong camaraderie among other expats in the UAE.
The organisers of the basketball tournament, united by their common passion for the sport, are also seeking to raise funds which will go to a charity foundation in the Philippines that serves poor children.
"We want to give the Filipino community in Dubai quality basketball entertainment and at the same time raise funds for our countrymen in the Philippines," said Danny Vera, chairman of PBBL (Pinoy Basketball League).
Vera, who has been living in Dubai for the past 25 years, added that the most cherished Filipino trait of bayanihan (team work) is best exemplified in a team sport such as basketball and with it the value of helping others.
A total of 34 teams have signed up for the tournament, 14 in the Inter-Hotel & Inter- Company category.
Another 20 teams will participate in the Class C category, which is open only for Filipino citizens with valid UAE residence visa.
All games will be officiated by a group of referees headed by Garchie Ferrer, former professional referee in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association).
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Source: beta.thehindu.com |
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