Asian Games Format Change for Basketball

There has been a change to the format for the Asian Games Basketball competition. Following the withdrawal of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the 7 teams in the preliminary round have been reorganized into two groups and are scheduled to play two or three games in the first round, before some of the teams move onto the second round to play the 8 other teams, who were given a pass into the second round based on their finishing 1st- 8th places in the last Asian Games in 2006 at Doha, Qatar. India forfeited their two games in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, thereby finishing in last place. The Philippines were on suspension from FIBA competition and also didn’t participate, which led to their being placed among the 7 preliminary teams, although they are probably one of the strongest teams in the tournament.

This decision to add games to the preliminaries probably favors India, because now they don’t have to play a “do or die” game against Afghanistan to advance. The decision might hurt the Philippines the most because they were considered a medal contender and now have to play additional games, while the second rounders can rest. The Philippines have allowed stars from their PBA pro league to play in these games. Other countries haven’t sent their top players due to pro league obligations, and other international duties. Yao and Yi of China are busy with NBA. Haddadi and Kazemi and other top Iranian players also will miss to focus on their pro and college seasons. With no pro league, India is free to send their top men’s players to the Asian Games.

India men’s played a training game with Winling, a club team from the Hong Kong Basketball League today in Hong Kong. The game ended in a 60-60 tie, after the teams decided not to play overtime in order to conserve energy for the Asian Games prelims, which starts November 15th.

India Coach Bill Harris was upset with a late foul call with seconds remaining and the score India up by one point, 60-59, The call sent the Hong Kong player to the free throw line wi a chance to make two free throws for the lead, but he made only one. India then missed a desperation shot at the buzzer.

Meanwhile, India’s opponent Afghanistan has been on a exhibition/training tour of USA colleges in preparation for the Asian Games. The Afghan Olympic Association has picked up funding for the team and the trip, so the players don’t have to raise funds, like in 2006 Doha.

There’s a clip of the Afghan team playing La Sierra University of Riverside, California, an NAIA level college team, on the SKBA page for anyone interested in scouting our opponent.