UNDER CONSTRUCTION

NATIONAL TEAM NEWS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST

NATIONAL TEAM WEEK IN REVIEW

Sunday, December 6 - Saturday, December 12

The Hong Kong coaching staff knew the team was offensively challenged, but just how challenged they are came to light during the start of the basketball competition. Hong Kong suffered two consecutive defeats in their opening round match-ups. The gold medal favourite China devoured Hong Kong 105-47 to lead off the basketball competition. Hong Kong then suffered a very disappointing 77-64 loss to host Thailand to seal their fate. The Thailand game was sold out, with 5000 spectators (reported attendance was 5500) jamming Thammasat Gymnasium to cheer their heroes on to victory. The game was also broadcast live on national television.

Hong Kong has been beat up as a result of their first two games. Ho Kwok Man (back spasms), Chan Chi Ho (calcium deposits in thigh) and Chak Man Keung (shoulder) have been receiving treatment to return to competition next week.

The Hong Kong Basketball Association has allowed this web page to become the "Official" web page of the National Team. There are also a couple of daily newspapers (one the widely respected South China Morning Post) tracking the basketball competition through this site.

Hong Kong Basketball Association President Norman Chan arrived at the Games on Monday and again lauded the job Coach Darling had done in preparing the team for the Asian Games. Chan acknowledged the team's lack of talent and went on to say that if the government had the funding again next year, he would love to hire Darling again.

The National Team realized they may be in deep waters when they saw that they have a smaller front line then 3 of the women's teams here.

Hong Kong have been media "Darlings" at the Asian Games. Head Coach Tim Darling was interviewed by the South China Morning Post, Korean TV as well as local television affiliates. Assistant Coach Doug Aitchison appeared on the All- China Asian Games wrap-up, and was a feature story in his hometown newspaper, the Niagara Falls Review.

For those who questioned Coach Darling's dress for the opening game against China, a gentle reminder that Coach Darling and his assistants wore the official bench uniform as supplied by the Hong Kong Basketball Association, through Adidas.

Each delegation was only allowed to send 80 members to the opening ceremonies, so the men's basketball team took the opportunity to log some extra practice before the China game.

The assistant coaches had problems with accreditation at the Games, but managed to negotiate the waters to gain access to the International Zone, and the basketball venue. Credit Asian Basketball Confederation Secretary General Mr. Yeh with paving the way so Hong Kong could have their full coaching staff on the bench for games, and in attendance to advance scout their competition.

United Arab Emirates Coach Earl Diddle was an assistant coach at NCAA Indiana State when Larry Bird was playing his college ball there. Diddle led his UAE squad to the Games' biggest upset to date, a 75-74 win over Japan.

Sunday, November 29 - Saturday, December 5

The final Asian Games draw has been made with 4 pools of 3 teams. The first round will be round-robin, with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the Final Eight medal round. The teams will be grouped into two pools and will play round-robin format, to establish the medal round games, and 5th through 8th place. The third place teams from the first round will group together and play round-robin to determine 9th through 12th place.

The National Basketball Team flies to Thailand on Saturday, December 5th at 12:10 pm. The flight arrives in Thailand at 2:45 pm and the team will get their Asian Games credentials immediately at the airport.

Dr. DAVID COSMAN (Doctor of Chiropractic) will join the National Team in Thailand as their volunteer doctor. Dr. Cosman has been providing expert physiotherapy, physical manipulation and taping for the team during their pre-Asian Games competition. Head Coach Tim Darling welcomes Dr. Cosman's presence and his abilities in Thailand, and will assign him the responsibility of keeping their best player Yung Kam Wah on the floor. Dr. Cosman had practiced for 11 years in Calgary, Canada, and has worked with numerous Canadian international teams before moving to Hong Kong. He is currently the elcected Sports Committee Chairman to the Hong Kong Chiropractors' Association, and is the Hong Kong Senator to FICS (Federation Internationale Chiropractique Sportive).

ADIDAS, the official sponsor of the National Basketball Team, and unveiled the official National Team uniforms for the Asian Games. The team will be wearing yellow as their light colours and red as their dark uniforms. Adidas' strong sponsorship of the team has included shoes and paraphenalia for the team and coaching staff throughout the last 8 months.

The final Asian Games roster was set, and National Junior Team member Tam Wai Yeung was left off the travelling list. Yeung suffered a 5 stitch cut to his chin after getting his arm pinned behind him, falling and bouncing his chin off the floor during practice last week. Yeung never returned to practice, making it an easy call for the coaching staff. Li Wai Lun and Choi Fong Yue, although talented, have been less than impressive since rejoining the team. Both will travel to Bangkok, though, but are expected to see very limited action.

The National Team played two local clubs, the Hong Kong Institute of Education and the University of Hong Kong, this week. For game recaps, please click here.

Jordan, Lebanon and Pakistan have dropped out of the Asian Games basketball competition. This leaves the basketball tournament at 12 teams, and the entire draw will has undergone considerable realignment. Iran does remain in the Games, and has swithced to Pool B.

Sunday, November 22 - Saturday, November 28

Choi Fong Yue returned from Taiwan in time to join the team for their game against Guan Dong on Saturday. Yu gives the team much needed size, but was completely out of synch during the game. For a full recap of the game, please click here.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Mongolia have officially dropped out of the Asian Games. Saudi Arabia and Mongolia were scheduled to compete in the basketball tournament, so the draw has been now reduced to 15 teams. The official draw will be altered, but probably not until the end of next week.

The "Hong Kong Together" campaign, a community-led program, unveiled a giant painting incorporating an encouragement message to Hong Kong's SAR (Special Administrative Region) Asian Games athletes, on Thursday. The painting was presented to the athletes during an hour long ceremony and reception.

The injury bug has hit the National Team hard, as Chak Man Keung (shoulder), Lui Chor Wai (foot) and Tam Wai Yeung (5 stitches to chin) all missed at least two practices during the week.

Li Wai (Allan) Lun received medical clearance and encouraged the National Team by returning to practice. Lun, obviously weakened after being hit with Hepatitis, is looking to shake off 3 weeks of inactivity.

The coaching staff participated in the well organized FIBA/ABC Referees Clinic on Monday and Tuesday, to learn about the upcoming FIBA rule changes from 1998-2002. Jimmy Chan of the Hong Kong Basketball Association coordinated the clinic, which drew over 100 officials from around the Asiad. International official Lubor Kotleba led the rules sessions, with a very entertaining presentation.

The National Team blistered the National Junior Team with a great shooting night from the 3 point line, and a smothering half court defense. National Team Assistant Coach Doug Aitchison was invited to referee the game, to give him his first taste of international officiating. Game Summary (Click here)

Sunday, November 15 - Saturday, November 21

The talent laden National Junior Team finished a disappointing 10th at the Asian Junior Championships in India. The Juniors have a number of players that should play for the National Team, but Coach Tim Darling has focused on (6'4") Tam Wai Yeung. The 16 year old Yeung has great basketball instincts and may yet appear in a National Team uniform in Bangkok if Coach Darling has his way. "It would be a tragedy to Yeung's development, and an embarassment to the country if Yeung was not allowed to participate", Darling asserted.

The National Team named JIMMY CHAN as Executive Assistant for the Asian Games in Thailand. The coaching staff was very pleased, especially Coach Darling who noted "we trust Jimmy completely, whenever he is around things get." Chan is the Supervisor of Officials and Competitions Organizer for the Hong Kong Basketball Association. His hard working, efficient nature will take a lot of pressure off the team and coaching staff in Bangkok. Assistant Coaches Doug Aitchison and Carlos Frade expect to work with Chan in gathering game tapes of Hong Kong's opposition, to round out the advance scouting team.

Li Wai Lun (6'7"), probably the best overall player in Hong Kong, was stricken with Hepatitis and is doubtful for the Asian Games.

The team participated in a rehearsal for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Basketball Head Coach Tim Darling was passed over as Hong Kong's standard bearer, as cyclist Wong Kam Po was selected. The team also received information on the doping policies and enforcement at the Games.

Assistant Coach Doug Aitchison, a fledgling basketball official in addition to his coaching background, was invited to participate in the FIBA/ABC Referees Clinic on November 23 and 24. The Niagara District Basketball Referees Association will finally realize their dream of having an official representative in Hong Kong.

Lebanon may pull out of the Asian Games basketball tournament, following Cambodia's lead, citing financial concerns. Lebanon was to be represented by the perenially tough Saggesse club, ironically a team Coach Darling led to the Lebanese Professional League Championship in 1996.

"WAITING FOR BOOMTIME"

The following excerpt appeared in the June 1998 Issue of FIBA Magazine, the leading publication on international basketball.

..."Stanley Au, influential chairman of the Regal Group, which owns Hong Kong's top semi-professional team, believes that the colony's basketball enthusiasts must be patient when considering an all-out boom.
"Foremost, the basketball market must mature here," says Au, whose Regal team won the 1997 ABC (Asian Basketball Confederation) Champions Cup tournament in Indonesia. "When a collective focus among players, investors and association shifts towards professionalizing the sport here, it will happen. These things take time, but within the next four or five years, there will be a pro situation in Hong Kong."
The HKBA have taken one important stride by recently ending a long search for a Western coach willing to pack his bags and make the move East to coach when they signed Timothy Darling to a contract through the 1998 Asian Games.
Darling hails from Canada, where he was a coach at Brandon University. The HKBA believe that Darling's knowledge will help advance the sport and its players, as they expect him to intiate and support junior development programmes. Darling's main task remains, however, that of leading the Hong Kong National Team to a high standing in Bangkok.
"Oh yes, the addition of Coach Darling should help raise the standard in Hong Kong," adds Au. "Hopefully the sports development council will support the new coach's ideas. Right now the biggest influence on young people remains the NBA. Soon there will be more local influence.""...
by Matt Jung

COACHING SUMMIT
(Saturday, November 7)

Legendary Chinese basketball coach Chan Tak Chun and Hong Kong coach Timothy Darling had a chance to discuss hoops at the post game reception following their game in Szenshen on November 7.

Chun was China's National Team Head Coach for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and was a former National Team player as well.

Darling and Chun discussed team discipline, Eastern work ethic, offensive and defensive systems and the state of officiating in Asia. Chun was very complimentary of Hong Kong's defensive efforts, a facet of the game that Darling is well known for, and is now quickly gaining an international reputation for.

COACHING APPOINTMENT
(Monday, November 2)

The Hong Kong National Basketball Team is proud to announce that DOUG AITCHISON from Niagara Falls, Canada, will join their staff for the Asian Games.

Aitchison, currently working as an associate coach with Niagara College, brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. Aitchison has coached professionally in Lebanon, was the Head Coach at Queen's University, and has numerous CIAU assistant stints at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Guelph.

"Doug has a tremendous ability to teach all facets of the game", said Head Coach Tim Darling, "he relates well to all players, regardless of their age and ability, and he will be a very positive addition to our staff. His work ethic, enthusiasm and composure will be vital to our Asian Games success".

Aitchison joins an already impressive staff, with Darling and Assistant Carlos Frade from Logrono, Spain. Darling feels his staff will be one of the strongest at the Bangkok Games.

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