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THE groundbreaking ceremony for the Malaysia Basketball Association (MABA) Suitez @ KL City Centre was held recently - marking a crucial step toward building a sustainable future and setting a new course for Malaysian basketball.
After serving for over fifty years, Wisma MABA faces serious structural problems with a leaky roof and an aging cooling system.
"This redevelopment project will allow MABA to build long-term financial assets that provide a stable, ongoing income. That is how we will turn our vision of financial independence into reality.
"Let’s be clear, funding is the lifeblood of sports development. We need to shift our mindset — from being just “dreamers” to becoming proactive “builders” of our own revenue streams.
"Our ultimate goal is clear: to become a financially self-reliant organisation, no longer dependent on donations," said MABA president Datuk Seri Lee Tian Hock.
He said the RM800 million project is expected to generate at least RM170 million for MABA.
"We'll use RM120 million of that to repurchase serviced apartments for rental, which should generate about RM6 million in steady annual income. This means future leaders of MABA can focus entirely on developing the basketball, free from financial worries," he said.
Over the years, he said MABA has been proud to nurture countless talented players and coaches over the years, and we remain fully committed to growing both the culture of basketball and the next generation who will carry it forward.
"We want to make it clear, basketball isn’t just for one community. It’s a sport for every Malaysian. Our diversity is our strength, and when we stand together, we go further," he added. - December 1, 2025