Fukien's bid to promote sport
First Division basketball team Fukien will send their players to local secondary schools under a new initiative aimed at promoting the game among young people in Hong Kong.
The club, runners-up in last season's A1 league, have also announced a new sponsorship deal with sportswear giant Nike.
'We want to support youth basketball in the community, and with Nike's help, we will be able to send our players out to coach in schools,' said Fukien team manager Reman Chan Siu-wong.
'There are no concrete plans yet, but we hope to involve at least four schools, run training clinics and hold a tournament. We are talking to a few schools about suitable dates and other details.
'I think this will help to build a connection between our club and schools, which is important.'
Chan said the club's new Nike-sponsored uniform will be popular among young fans.
'Nike is the best clothing brand for basketball uniforms and I know the fans will like the new jersey,' he said.
Fukien lost the A1 Division league title and the Shield competition to South China last season. They will be determined to make amends when the new season gets underway early
next year.
The club will play their second match in a pre-season warm-up competition, the Kung Sheung Cup, tomorrow night against minor league side Snowball. The tournament ends in January.
New signing Wong Chun-wai, a former student at Newman College, the Kowloon basketball champions, believes the team can win both the Shield and A1 league title.
'Fukien have several Hong Kong team members and is one of the strongest in the league,' Wong said. 'Nike's support improves the team's image.'
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