22nd FIBA ASA CHAMPIONSHIP FOR WOMEN
INCHEON CITY KOREA
1. GENERAL
1.1 It was indeed an honor of Incheon Korea to host the 22nd FIBA ASIA Championship for Women from 3rd – 10th June 2007. Incheon City will also be hosting the 2014 Asian Games.
1.2 Cool and sunny weather greeted the officials and athletes throughout the season. Strong and well prepared, the teams congregated in Incheon producing their best stars vying for the only spot to the 2008 Beijing Olympic. China has qualified being the host.
1.3 The grand opening ceremony at the eves of the competition was graced with the presence of Incheon Mayer Mr. Ahn Sang Soo in a marvelous banquet held in Ramada Hotel Ballroom on 2 June 2007 at 1900 hours.
2. PARTICIPANTS
2.1 The entry for participation was overwhelming. At the closing deadline all spots were taken up. As participation was limited to 6 teams level Ⅰ and also 6 teams for level Ⅱ, late comers were put on reserves. There was no withdrawal, the teams confirmed participation were as follows:
2.1.1 Level Ⅰ Level Ⅱ
China Uzbekistan
Korea Hong Kong
Japan Singapore
Chinese Taipei India
Thailand Sri Lanka
Malaysia Vietnam
3. COMPETITION SYSTEM & FIXTURE
3.1 The competition was set according to the FIBA ASIA Internal Regulations on Competitions.
3.2 Fixture was prepared accordingly and sent to all the participating federations and parties concerned. Changes were made to accommodate TV coverage.
4. STADIUM AND FACILITIES
4.1 The championship was played at the Samsan World Arena. A well designed stadium of modern technology with a seating capacity of 7,000 people. The lighting was well equipped and the very effective air-condition provided the comforts and reduced the fatigue of staffs that had to work for long hours. There were ample facilities to meet the needs of the championship, you name it and you have it, including computers.
4.2 The numerous advertising boards placed around the arena was decorative creating a carnival atmosphere.
5. TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT
5.1 The good stadium is also complimented with good equipment. Apart from the quality basketball court, the Hyra-rib heavy duty baskets supports were equipped with the 24 second clocks mounted on each support. There were also two electronic scoreboards placed on each side of the court giving faultless service throughout the tournament. The only weakness was, there was no data of the 12 players and coaches personal fouls display. This information is essential for the teams coaches, statistics and the mass medias, apart from the spectators. A 4 dimensions TV screen placed above the center of the arena televised the running events,
5.2 The table officials started off with minor mistakes in scoring and occasional 24 seconds operation. They worked hard showing good improvement and result. More exposures to international competitions should be tested to gain confidence.
6. ACCOMMODATION & FOOD
6.1 Koryo Hotel. All FIBA, FIBA ASIA Commissioners and Referees were accommodated. It was very wise to have the Referees accommodated away from the participating teams. The hotel is excellent with all the modern hi-tech facilities and equipped with computer in every room. It is located about 10 minutes drive to the Stadium.
6.2 Ramada Songho Hotel. Another very good hotel that provides good hotel facilities to the athletes. Located about 40 minutes driving distance to the competition venue.
7. FOOD
7.1 The hotels also catered food for all the officials and players. Abundance food with changing menu were provided for the needs on buffet system. There was no complaint reported.
8. TRANSPORT
8.1 Buses were provisioned for the ferrying of the participating teams from the hotel to the competition venue and return. For others MPV and cars were catered. The system worked smoothly without problem.
9. TEAM MANAGERS MEETING
9.1 The Team Managers meeting scheduled to be held at Ramada Sangho Hotel was moved to the Stadium Conference Room on 2 June 2007 at 14:00 hours. Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock, Secretary General FIBA ASIA chaired the meeting. Matters were discussed as per the agenda provided. It proceeded smoothly.
9.2 TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
President : Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock (Secretary General, FIBA ASIA)
Member (Host) : Mr. Jaemin Lee (Secretary General, KBA)
Member (Coopted) :Mr. Hagop Khajirian (Deputy Secretary General, FIBA ASIA)
Secretary : Col. Lee Kak Kuan (Technical Director, FIBA ASIA)
9.3 JURY OF APEAL
President : Sheikh Saud Ali Al-Thani, (President, FIBA ASIA)
Members - Alternates
India - Chinese Taipei / Singapore
Malaysia - China / Uzbekistan
Japan - Thailand / Hong Kong
Korea - Sri Lanka / Vietnam
9.4 COMMISSIONERS (FIBA ASIA)
a) Mr. Seah Liang Bing (SIN)
b) Mr. Nomura, Koichi (JPN)
10. TECHNICAL MEETING
10.1 The Technical Officials meeting with the Referees was held immediately after the Managers’ Meeting at 1530. It ironed out the administrative problems that were raised. A total of 17 referees were registered to officiate, inclusive of 2 neutral referees and local referees. All the teams provided their accompanied referees. The list of Technical Commissioners and Referees is attached together with the Referees Assignments.
11. DOPING OVERVIEW
11.1 In conjunction with the championship, Ms. Cendrine Guillon, the Anti Doping Officer FIBA assisted by Dr. Canlas presented the topic to representatives from the participating teams and FIBA ASIA Officials. The importance of doping in basketball was emphasized and its policy was explained. The presentation was truly informative amid active participation. As a reminder FIBA requires the duly completed doping forms 7 weeks before the scheduled competition.
12. THE TOURNAMENT
12.1 There were a total of 36 games to be completed in 9 days. An average of 6 games per day with a rest day. It was plain-sailing from the playoff.
12.2 Most of the games were keenly contested among the teams within its level. More so among the top 4 teams in Level I. Full sporting spirit was displayed to strive for excellence, and the only ticket to the 2008 Olympic.
12.3 After 6 days’ of contest, Korea and China were berthed for the Final. The show down of these two power house of Asia was exiting and thrilling for the spectators as they locked in contest for supremacy. Each team took turn to lead in ding dong battle. Finally when the signal sounded to end the game, Korea defeated the defending champion China with the score of 79 against 73 under fully packed stadium.
12.4 The final standing of the teams in both levels is as followings:
Level Ⅰ Level Ⅱ
Korea India ( Elevated to level I )
China Hong Kong
Japan Uzbekistan
Chinese Taipei Vietnam
Thailand Singapore
Malaysia ( Down graded to Level II ) Sri Lanka
12.5 Detail results are as attached.
13. CONCLUSION
13.1 A well organized tournament requires good planning and systematic implementation of the programs and activities apart from finance. Incheon has opened its gateway towards more international basketball arenas. The Organizing Committee under the supervision Headquarters of KBA was able to steer the cooperation of every working member for a successful tournament.
13.2 For the first time IT was fully applied to produce the games statistics. The information was displayed immediately as the game progressed, providing all the statistics efficiently.
13.3 I wish to thank all the sponsors for their generous contributions, mass media and television for the close support and wide publicity. Your good deeds played the primary role in the promotion of basketball, not forgetting to thank the full cooperation rendered by all the participation teams through out the competition. The presence of FIBA President Mr. Bob Elphinston and the supporting staff graced the occasion.
13.4 Finally, congratulations to KBA for having successful gained the only spot to Beijing Olympics 2008 and emerged as the champion in this premier event.
Thank you “Peace Through Basketball”
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