Source: New Straits Times Date: 10/12/2012

Link: http://bit.ly/QSu3qW

Slam-dunk your way to glory

GATORADE is inviting young players to dribble, pass and slam-dunk their way to glory in the Gatorade 3-on-3 basketball challenge, which kicked off on Nov 30.

Open to individuals aged 18 and below, the four-month tournament is expected to attract over 1,000 teams of three players each taking to courts across the country for a shot at winning cash prizes, vouchers, medals and other goodies.

Three categories -- Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18, will be contested, with each seven- minute game played using a round-robin and knockout formats at nine venues in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perak, Kedah, Kuantan, Johor, Malacca and Negri Sembilan.

The grand final, limited to only Under-18 circuit winners, is to be played at the Hoops Station at the Summit in Subang on Feb 23.

Circuit champions of all three categories receive a Reebok voucher worth RM600 while runners-up and third-placed teams receive a RM300 voucher and a RM200 voucher, respectively. All winners also receive medals and other goodies.

The grand final will reward the winners with RM3,000 cash, a RM1,500 Reebok voucher, medals and sponsored prizes. The runners-up leave with RM1,500 and a RM1,000 voucher, third place gets RM1,000 and a RM500 voucher while the fourth-placed team walk off with RM500 and a RM300 voucher.

The tournament will be played under International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3x3 rules. Apart from the opportunity to watch youngsters in 3-on-3 action, the tournament also promises participants and spectators a one-day carnival atmosphere complete with side events.

Gatorade 3-on-3 is supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and sanctioned by the Malaysian Basketball Association (MABA).

Gatorade is the title sponsor. "A 3-on-3 basketball challenge is one of the more effective means to introduce our young to basketball and help grow the game," said Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah when launching the tournament here recently.

"It features the same skill set and elements as in a regular game, but with increased levels of excitement and showmanship due to its shorter game period."

Saifuddin also said that he hoped the tournament would inspire more youngsters to pick up the game, as well as learn educational and social values as sportsmanship, cooperation and team spirit.

"The 3-on-3 challenge complements the Gatorade league for university goers and our tournament for secondary students as part of our initiative to foster a love for basketball among Malaysians and provide them a chance to be part of one of the most popular recreational sports in the world," said Permanis Sdn Bhd vice-president of marketing Hemalatha Ragavan.

For more information on Gatorade 3-on-3, call organisers MVP Marketing at 03-9075 7050 or 012 358 5911.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (centre) launches the Gatorade 3-on-3 basketball challenge with Permanis Sdn Bhd vice president of marketing Hemalatha Ragavan and MVP executive director Khairul Anuar Jalani.