By Ian Chew

Felicia Chin, an ex-national softball team pitcher, was nevertheless excited to share sporting tips with Cagers team captain Hong Wei Jian. (Photo © Ian Chew/Red Sports)

Fancy seeing Mediacorp star Felicia Chin playing basketball? Or this – playing on the same team as Taiwanese Johnny Yan against another Mediacorp celebrity team? You can get to watch this and much more at the upcoming Cagers Asia 2008 Basketball Challenge from 27-29 June held at the Jurong East Sports Complex.

In a press conference held recently, the former softball National and Victoria Junior College school team player appeared game for the new basketball challenges in her bid to show her support for her new-found team.

“Sports is not all about winning, but about developing one’s character and perseverance. There are also no age, gender, racial or religious boundaries in sports, which explains its universal appeal!”

Explaining why she chose to delve into the sport of basketball instead of softball, she said, “Both are team sports and a great test of one’s character, perseverance and teamwork. The same good values are developed and brought out through both games.”

Leading the pack competing to win the basketball challenge is Segamat Rimba Timor from Malaysia, also the 2004 and 2006 Malaysia National Basketball League Champions. Also joining the competition is the Malaysian Junior Team who emerged runners-up at the recent SEABA Junior Men Championship 2008 held in KL from 1-4 May. This team had also beaten our national junior team by a whopping 40 points at the same competition! The CLS Knights from Surabaya, Indonesia rounds up the competition.

Lim Wai Sian (also known as “Lao Lao” – a term his elder brother had called him affectionately from young!), a key member of the Cagers team, is wary of the threat especially posed by Segamat Rimba Timor of Malaysia.

“The team includes seven national players, five of which were members of the bronze medal winning team in the recent SEA Games competition in Korat. We are certainly not underestimating the other teams as well, and will give our best in the tournament,” the 20 year old and current Singapore Polytechnic student said. He currently also plays for Min Yi Sports Club.

The Cagers team will not be without help though, with Taiwanese basketball league players Wu Dai Hao and Johnny Yan helming the squad. Both players turn out for Taiwan Beer in the native country’s premier basketball competition.

The competition will not be solely focused on the four teams though. Spectators can look forward to 3-on-3 competitions ($50 per team for boys/girls aged 13-14 years), 1-on-1 challenges ($20 for boy/girl aged 15-17 years) as well as a Hip Hop Dance Contest (also at $50 per team) during the half time breaks. Teams or individuals looking to register can send their application forms and payment to:

“Finesse Consulting Pte Ltd”
101 upper Cross St #07-02 People’s Park Centre S(058357).

Winning teams can look forward to a total prize purse of more than $1000 in cash and apparel vouchers. Tickets are sold at SISTIC outlets at $20 for a day pass. Block booking forms for schools and companies are also available here. Orders of more than 50 tickets by schools and companies enjoy a discount rate of 30%!

“I am very honored to be the spokesperson of this young team and am confident that the players are in good hands. I also hope that the club bring local sports in Singapore to greater heights,” she told the team at a recent press conference. (Photo © Ian Chew/Red Sports)

Though the spokesperson of the basketball team, Felicia confessed that her basketball experience was more about watching her friends play in school! “I was more into softball and netball,” she explained. (Photo © Ian Chew/Red Sports)

The Cagers team, consisting of captain Hong Wei Jian, vice-captain Oh Wei Jie Desmond and team members Lim Wai Sian, Wong Wei Lun, Hiu Guo Rong, Goh Tai Liang, Poh Wei Hao, Zhou Zhen Qiang, Zhou Zhen Jie, Pung Jia Wei, Liao Shi Ming, Jabez Su, Larry Liew and Russel Low at the contract signing ceremony. (Photo © Ian Chew/Red Sports)

Hiu Guo Rong, 22, is one of three full-time players on the Cagers roster. He formerly represented Chai Chee Sec and won the national inter-school title as well as the MVP award in 2004. (Photo © Ian Chew/Red Sports)