Bangkok, Thailand -The AirAsia ASEAN Basketball league (ABL) will now have an additional team besides the San Miguel Beermen of the Philippines joining the ABL family. Bangkok Basketball Holdings made an official announcement at the Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel Bankok at 3:30PM today that they will be joining South East Asia’s inter-nation professional basketball league’s 3rd season which will start on the 14th of January 2012.
Tom Griffin, owner of Bangkok Basketball Holdings commented: “We feel that the ABL is positioned to be a force in the sports community, not just in ASEAN but throughout Asia. Bangkok Basketball plans to be a part of that growth. We are excited to be a part of basketball’s growth in South East Asia.”
Bangkok Basketball Holdings, whose owners are Tom Griffin and Jeffrey Premer will be working with local basketball forces to choose its local players from a selected pool currently playing for the National Team. The talent pool for basketball in Thailand is very strong and they plan to give back to the community for continued growth. There are also plans to reach out to the community to foster the development of basketball capability in Thailand by a series of exchanges that will include visits by their coaches throughout Thailand, together with players and sponsors alike to meet with and counsel players and coaches, coaches at elite levels, as well as important coaches at the grassroots levels, so that all levels of basketball have been reached to further the development of basketball.
Team Owner of the Westports KL Dragons, Mr. Ruben Gnanalingam commented, “It’s great that there has been two new teams joining the league. It is a big step forward for the expansion of the ABL and basketball in South East Asia as a growing sport. I am very sure that this is just the beginning and there will be more teams from other countries as well in time to come. The Westports KL Dragons would like to extend a warm welcome to the new ownership group in Bangkok on being part of the league. I am sure the level of competition is going to be higher in the league as we’ve seen how strong basketball in Thailand has become”, referring to Thailand Slammers’ capture of the title this past season.
General Manager of the Singapore Slingers, Michael Johnson added: “The announcement of the Bangkok Basketball Holdings joining San Miguel as confirmed new teams for the 2012 ABL season is another huge boost to the league. Thailand will now have its own local rivalry with Bangkok Basketball Holdings and current ABL champion Thailand Slammers in the league. Fans of the ABL can look forward to a bigger and better ABL season starting January 2012.”
Team Owner of the Philippine Patriots, Dr. Mikee Romero mentioned: “I salute the whole ABL organization for another prized team recruit, after San Miguel in the Philippines, Bangkok Basketball. The ABL is truly becoming the biggest premiere basketball league in the whole ASEAN region. ABL is truly growing in leaps and bounds. The excitement between teams and countries is likewise growing. The ABL is truly the future of ASEAN basketball.”
Bangkok Basketball is currently interviewing potential coaches. They are seeking an individual that includes a professional playing career as well as a successful coaching history. BB considers this choice to be paramount in the success of the organization and is weighing options available. The selection of players will be a collaboration between the management and the selected head coach.
Chief Executive Officer of the ASEAN Basketball League, Mr. Kuhan Foo commented, “Bangkok Basketball Holdings is a welcome addition to the ABL. This reinforces the growth of the ABL in the past 2 seasons. With them on board it also shows that the basketball playing talent in the region is now increasing and with the inclusion of the new teams and with our foundation members now throwing out a larger net to seek talented players, it is going to be a bright future for basketball in the ASEAN region.”
Bangkok Basketball Holdings will be having a contest soon for fans to decide their team name and also a chosen mascot to best represent their team in 2012.
