15th Asian Games Basketball
DOHA-QATAR
1 GENERAL
1.1 “The Games of Your Life,” was the theme for the 15th Asian Games Doha. Since Qatar won the bid to host the Asian Games in the year 2000, it has undertaken the challenge in staging the Games in its history.
1.2 The Doha city of desert has been transformed into a Disneyland in hosting this spectacular event. Over 10,500 athletes and team officials from 45 countries and regions competed for the glory in 39 sports and 424 events. Basketball was among the sports. It was held from 23 November to 15 December 2006.
2 PARTICIPATING TEAMS
2.1.1 As far back as September 2005 DAGOC (Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee) had declared through its survey that 12 men and 8 women teams will be participating. However, at the close of entry on 30 October 2006, the event attracted 20 men and 8 women teams
2.2 The overwhelming response registered the participating teams are as follows:
2.2.1 Men: Qatar, China, Lebanon, Korea, Iran, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Syria, Jordan, Macau China, Hong Kong China, Kuwait, UAE, India, Palestine, Afghanistan and Mongolia.
2.2.2 Women: China, Japan, Lebanon, India, Korea, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan.
3 THE DRAW
3.1 The draw to decide the groupings was held on the 7th September 2006 at Four Seasons Hotel10:30 hours in the presence of DAGOC officials. The president of FIBA Asia Skeikh Saud Ali AL Thani and Technical Delegate Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock Secretary General FIBA Asia and other officials were invited to the Draw. When none of the FIBA Asia Officials were available to attend the Draw, due to the clash of dates as the 19th FIBA Asia Junior Men Championship was in progress from 1-9 September 2006 in Urumqi China. DAGOC was advised to change the date for the Draw and it was turned down as the Draw must be together with all the teams sports on the same day.
3.2 The Draw was held as scheduled and the results as follows:
3.2.1 Men 1st Round (12 Teams)
Group A Group B
India Uzbekistan
Macau China Palestine
Bahrain Mongolia
Group C Group D
Hong Kong China Kuwait
Syria Kazakhstan
Afghanistan UAE
3.2.2 Men 2nd Round (12 teams)
Group E Group F
Qatar China
Korea Lebanon
Iran Japan
Jordan Chinese Taipei
Winner Group A Winner Group B
Winner Group C Winner Group D
3.3 The results of the Draw appeared in DAGOC Website. At the same time Competition Schedule was prepared for DAGOC’s distribution. Complaint was received from Chinese Taipei that queried on the basis adopted for the Draw. By right Chinese Taipei (men) should be included in the 2nd Round Draw due to the favorable placing gained in 14th Busan Games or 21st FIBA Asia Championship in 2005 Qatar. The complaint was also directed to FIBA for advice. Instead, Kazakhstan which was placed after Chinese Taipei, was seeded in the 2nd Round.
3.4 FIBA Asia identified the problem faced by Chinese Taipei and referred the matter to DAGOC. The basis adopted for the Draw whether from the results of the 14th Busan Asian Games or the Men Championship 2005 in Qatar? A quick examination of both the results in Busan or Qatar revailed difference pictures. The closer basis adopted was Qatar championship, and Chinese Taipei should have been seeded and not Kazakhstan. Also, the Draw was carried out without seeding the top 2 teams from the results, to head Group E and F.
3.5 The query from FIBA Asia received no response as DAGOC preferred to remain silence finding no answer to the basis adopted for the Draw. In the mean time further queries were received from China, Chinese Taipei and Japan. To adopt a fair approach, FIBA Asia amended the competition schedule for 2nd Round. Chinese Taipei was placed instead of Kazakhstan for 2nd Round and vice versa in the 1st Round schedule.
4 TEAMS WITHDRAWAL
4.1.1 Several changes of events took place resulting in the off-balance of the teams in the groupings. FIBA Asia received the information on 23 November that the Indian Men Team had withdrawn from participation due to unforeseen circumstances. Group A you notice have only 2 teams left i.e Macau China and Bahrain. The competition recorded India under forfeit for failing to appear as stated in the FIBA Basketball Rules.
4.2 The 1st Round Competition was a qualifying round for the 2nd Round. Group A with 2 teams left will play only 1 match to decide the winner. Whereas other groups of 3 teams each will play only 2 games. Only the top winner in each group will qualify for the 2nd Round.
4.3 In the Women section Kazakhstan withdrew and Group Y was left with 3 teams. The total participating teams for women was 7. It was emphasized to DAGOC that with 7 teams participation, the normal competition system will be based on one round robin to decide the placing for first to seventh. It was not adopted as DAGOC explained that tickets and programs had been finalized within the limited days of competition. The competition schedule was amended less Kazakhstan in Group Y.
4.4 After the successful competition of 1st Round, India Woman too withdrew from the 2nd Round. Again the Competition Schedule was amended minus India team. The changes of events really caused a lot of inconvenience to DAGOC in term of administration, logistic and financial loss in ticketing. From our record, India also withdrew at the last moment from the basketball event in the 14th Busan Asian Games 2002, which also ended up with 6 teams participating. It was a Round Robin Competition System in Busan.
4.5 The official team lists of the participating teams are hereby attached.
5 COMPETITION VENUE
5.1. Both the 1st and the 2nd round competition was pitched at the sport City indoor basketball stadium . A beautiful architectural design of modern era . It is fully air conditioned with seating capacity of about 2000 spectators . A stadium of this capacity equipped with training and warming up court together with all the administrative and logistic facilities is good enough to accommodate the basketball population of Qatar .
5.2. Backboard Supports
The supports branded Sport System are the products of Italy. The hydra – ribs structure is operating on the hydraulic system. The fault faced was the height of the baskets tipped down about an inch everyday, possibility due to the hydraulic weakness and adjustment takes time. DAGOC can report the defects to the Production Company while under warranty.
5.3. Scoreboards and 24 second clocks .
The pair of scoreboards mounted in the stadium and 24 second clocks are branded Tissot . The big scoreboards have all the datas specified by rules and provided good service as no major fault was reported . Where as the 24 second shot clocks appeared too big and heavy, were mounted of the backboard supports. From the start of the 1st round competition it malfunctioned. There was no timing from the clocks for 7 minutes and no spare clocks were made available. QBF provided the spare from its own source . Shots clocks are vital equipment for the game and spare clocks should be provisioned .
5.4. Besides the scoreboards , a large TV screen provided close circuit TV for the event , and replay the highlights of the games during intervals.
6 TEAM MANAGERS MEETING
6.1. The meeting was held as scheduled on 29 November 2006 at 1430 hours Sport City Indoor Stadium Training Gymnasium. It was chaired by Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock, Technical Delegate, Secretary General FIBA Asia. It proceeded as per the agenda provided.
6.2 Technical Committee
President - Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock（Secretary General Fiba Asia）
Member（Host） - Mr. Mohammad Husain Ibrahim（Qatar）
Member（Coopted） - Mr. Hagop Khajirian（Deputy Secretary General Fiba Asia）
Secretary - Col Lee Kak Kuan ( Technical Director Fiba Asia )
6.3 Jury of Appeal
President - Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani（President Fiba Asia）
Members - Alternates
（1）I.R. Iran - Korea / Bahrain
( 2）Japan - China / Syria
( 3）C.Taipei - Lebanon / Uzbekistan
( 4）Qatar - Korea / Kazakhstan
6.4 Commissioners
Mr.Lubomir Kotleba (FIBA)
Lt. Kol. Lee Kak Kuan（Malaysia）
Mr. Hashimoto Nobuo（Japan）
Mr. Fouty Nicolas Orgi（Lebanon）
Mr. Zhou Jiang An（China）
Mr. Aneja Naresh Chander（India）
Mr. Jafarian Nosratollah（Iran）
Mr. Manour Seed Al-Ahmari（KSA）
Mr.Mohammad Yousef (Qat)
7 REFEREES MEETING
7.1. The referees meeting was held at 1600 hours after the managers meeting at the same venue to deal with matters as per the agenda provided.
7.2. A total of 24 referees were registered to officiate, including 4 neutral referees. The hosts provided 2 referees to help out the tournament. The list of referees and their assignments for the whole duration of the competition are as attached.
8 ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
8.1 The teams were accommodated together with all the other athletes in the athletes games village. Whereas the Commissioners and Referees were housed in Technical Officials village. A good apartment complete with the modern facilities. Technical Delegate and high officials of the NOCs in four Season hotel and Movenpit Hotel.
8.2 Meals on buffet arrangement was catered in the Technical Village, and coupons were used. There was no complaint received.
9 TRANSPORTATION
9.1 Air-conditioned buses and cars were use to ferry the officials from the respective accommodation centers to the playing venues. The arrangement was well organized with the instruction on transport system provided.
10 THE COMPETITION AND RESULTS
10.1 The competition presented exciting and high performance basketball. Most of the matches were keenly contested from the preliminary round. Fighting point for point and the victors were only known in the last minute.
10.2 The contest was more intense when it advanced to the semi-finals. The players put it great effort with excellent team works striving for the golden final. Finally, China and C. Taipei gained their berths in the finals for the women group.
10.3 In the final show-down C. Taipei women facing the favorite Chinese, and great pressure the defending Champion with sharp shooting skills and team spirit. Only in the first half and widened the lead. China maintained the gold medal defeating C. Taipei 90-59
10.4 The contest between China and Qatar in the men final was even more dramatic. From the play-off both teams were locked in close battle striving for supremacy and scoring point for point. China proved too strong for Qatar, when the signal sounded to end the match, China defeated Qatar with the score of 59 - 44. It was a sweet reward for China to recapture the gold it lost in the last Busan Asian Games 2002.
10.5 The final standings of the teams are as follows :
10.5.1 Men Results
10.5.1.1 First China
10.5.1.2 Second Qatar
10.5.1.3 Third Iran
10.5.1.4 Fourth Jordan
10.5.1.5 Fifth Japan
10.5.1.6 Sixth C.Taipei
10.5.1.7 Seventh Korea
10.5.1.8 Eighth Lebanon
10.5.1.9 Ninth Kazakhstan
10.5.1.10 Tenth Syria
10.5.1.11 Eleventh Uzbekistan
10.5.1.12 Twelfth Bahrain
10.5.2 Women Results
5.2.1. First China
5.2.2. Second Chinese Taipei
5.2.3. Third Korea
5.2.4. Fourth Japan
5.2.5. Fifth Thailand
5.2.6. Sixth Lebanon
10.6 Details results as per the Annex attached
11 OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
11.1 Number of Participating Teams. The total participating teams of 12 men and 8 women set by DAGOC as early as September 2005 was rather fictitious. Competition system and schedule was also based on his number. When there were 20 men and 8 women teams registered to participate DAGOC refused to change the competition format.
11.2 Qualifying Round. To maintain its original number of participating teams and format, DAGOC decided to pool the additional teams to compete in the 1st Round. The 12 teams as indicated in Para 3.2.1 were drawn into 4 groups of A, B, C, D each consisting of 3 teams. This concept was self introduced for the first time in the history of Asian Games.
11.3 The preconceived mind setting to the 12 men and 8 women teams since September 2005 should subject to change in the competition format. Many competition systems are available to consideration. The advice of Fibe Asia or the Qatar Basketball Federation should be sought to adopt the best possible system . Moreover the 12 teams should have been drawn into 2 groups with 6 teams in each group.
11.4 The introduction of the qualifying round was far from ideal. It was totally not cost effective. Macau China in the men group A played only 1 match with Bahrain and had to pact up to go home. Imagine the time and financial implications involved to fly to Doha. Also the Team Referee officiated 1 match and met the same faith to go home.
11.5 Women 2nd Round. As a result of the withdrawal of Kazakhstan (group Y) there were 7 teams left to compete. DAGOC was advised immediately to adopt a Round Robin for the 7 teams. This was not accepted due to limited time, as more games will be played. Then, India also withdrew.
11.6 The implications for 6 teams competition drawn into 2 groups of three teams each which means each team will play 2 games and only two teams will advance to the semi finals . Where as the 3rd placed team in each group will be knocked out ( eliminated ) .
11.7. Again , imagine the team had spent so much time and money to be in Doha, played two games and have to pack up to go home , also the two games were played over a period from 28 Nov to 10 December. This long duration , was rather boring and wasting time . After one game the teams have to wait another 3 days to play the next game ! Complaints from all the participating federations received , against the system of the competition adopted. One Round Robin should have seen the system without doubt.
11.8. Team Withdrawal. The withdrawal of the participating teams at the eleventh hour is a problem to the hosts, as reported under para 4 above. It is recommended that OCA should review the problem in depth especially on team sports. Perhaps the NOCs concerned should be made to compensate the hosts for late withdrawal. The quantum of the penalty rests with the OCA. This problem was reported in the Busan Asian games and no respond was received .
12 CONCLUSION
12.1 The well organized tournament was successfully completed without any major problem. The spectacular performance of high level competition produced thrilling basketball much enjoyed by the excited enthusiasts.
12.2 Qatar scored a first in hosting the Asian Games among the Gulf State. The government and its population will be proud to achieve the tremendous success in hosting. The far sighted forecast of the Qatar sport blue print will certainly enhanced the level of sports to greater heights.
12.3 On behalf on FIBA ASIA I would like to extend my appreciation and gratitude to the hosts for the warm hospitality that greeted the participants Their hard working and loyal commitments had contributed to the successful tournament. Last but not least I wish to congratulate all the medal winners for their fine achievements, in particular China Men and Women for the double Gold.
“Peace Through Basketball”
Thank you.
