Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi's Parkers Basketball Academy will represent the emirate on the international stage this week after confirming entries in the Under-14 and Under-16 divisions of the World Youth Championship in Singapore.
The tournament, regarded as one of the leading international youth basketball events, will take place from August 6 to 9 across four venues in the city-state, bringing together about 140 teams from 14 countries spanning the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North America.
The Abu Dhabi-based academy will rely on a squad built around players who featured at the Batang PBA Middle East tournament in Qatar earlier this year.
They finished first runners-up in both U14 and U16 categories and belief is growing that the confidence and momentum from the Qatar experience will strengthen the team's chances.
"The tournament we participated in Qatar last February was Batang PBA Middle East, the first edition in the Middle East organised by the Philippine Basketball Association," team manager Meredith Fideli Mendoza told Aletihad.
"The core teams from the Qatar tournament are the ones going to Singapore, with the addition of a few other kids.
"In our Under-14 team, nine of the 11 players competed in Qatar, while in the Under-16 team only two players did not play there. It is always an advantage to keep the same core because familiarity, bond and camaraderie play a part in the tournament."
Mendoza said the academy viewed the World Youth Championship as the ideal platform to test itself against top international opposition while also promoting Abu Dhabi.
"The WYC is the perfect venue to compete, given its reputation as a premier international tournament," she said. "We felt that our Under-14 and Under-16 teams are ready to take on the challenge... to showcase the peaceful and beautiful city of Abu Dhabi.
"The experience in itself to play against elite teams at the international level will be our biggest takeaway," he said.
"Of course, we will play to win every single game, but more than the wins, the connection between the teams from around the world and the cultural exchange will be beneficial for the personal growth of our kids. The lessons and learnings are beyond the court."
Head coach and programme director Romick Mendoza believes the experience will extend well beyond the results on court. "Preparation is key. The teams have been training rigorously for months. We ensure the boys are ready for the demands of the games," he said.
"Tournaments like this run short with teams playing 5-7 matches in few days, it takes its toll. But with consistent training and conditioning, we will be ready and the kids are beyond excited."
The team realises there is a cultural connotation to it beyond the sporting aspects and hence took time out to do a photo shot at a couple of Abu Dhabi's landmarks.
"The world will come to Singapore and each brings with them intense cultural pride. So this is more than just basketball," added Meredith.
"We are after the growth and improvements of the kids both in and out of the court. Basketball is a sport that knows no language; it bridges the gap between cultures and traditions."
