Southeast Asian nations form pro basketball league

MANILA, Philippines – The warm response given by the South East Asian market to club team Singapore Slingers made seven member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to form the region’s first professional league. The Asean Basketball League (ABL), which was launched early this week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, will have its inaugural season in September this year with Slingers owner and AirAsia top boss Tony Fernandes as the league’s first chairman. The league will start with a 10-team tournament from the seven ASEAN countries. Teams will be allowed to enjoy the services of four imports – two non-Asians and two Asians. The Asean was organized in 1967 with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand as founding members. It grew to a 10-nation organization with the inclusion of Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. It was also announced that bids can now be submitted for the available 10 club franchises. Applicants will be assessed based on the professional and economical requirements of the league to "ensure the long term success of the league." The league will have 600 million people as target market with Indonesia comprising the biggest market. – GMANews.TV