KENINGAU: Excitement is building among basketball enthusiasts as the countdown begins for the Newbee Open Basketball Championship 2026, a tournament expected to bring together some of the district’s most promising teams while promoting sportsmanship, youth development and community engagement through sport.
Scheduled to take place from June 28 to July 8 at the Keningau Community Hall, the championship is poised to be one of the district’s most anticipated basketball events, providing a platform for players to showcase their talent, strengthen friendship and foster a healthy competitive spirit.
As part of the preparations, the Newbee Keningau Basketball Club successfully conducted its official team draw during the Tournament Managers’ Meeting, which gathered team managers and organizing committee members to discuss technical matters, confirm competition regulations and finalize match schedules.
Tournament Chairman Roger Fong Chun Yong described the draw as an important milestone in the lead-up to the championship, as it determines the opening pathway for participating teams and sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting tournament.
“The championship is not only about winning trophies. It is also about bringing the basketball community together, encouraging teamwork and providing opportunities for young players to gain valuable experience and exposure,” he said.
The draw produced three competitive groups: GROUP A; Lee Alat Binaan; Jaya X KRK X HH; G.O.M and Kgau Baby Bloods.
GROUP B: Walet King, Sunbear Travel, Pegasus Warriors and Kgau Young Bloods.
GROUP C: Shadow Strikers, Newbee, Newbee Lucky Team and Kgau Baller.
“The participation of teams from various backgrounds reflects the growing popularity of basketball in Keningau and highlights the sport’s ability to unite people from different communities through a shared passion,” Roger stressed.
He expressed hope that all teams would compete with discipline, commitment and respect for the game, values that are essential to the continued growth of basketball in the district.
Beyond the competition itself, the championship is expected to serve as a platform for identifying emerging talent while inspiring more young people to participate in sports and adopt healthy lifestyles. Sporting events such as this also play an important role in strengthening community bonds and creating positive opportunities for youth engagement.
With the groups now confirmed and preparations entering the final stages, anticipation is steadily growing among players and supporters alike. While every team begins the tournament with equal hopes of lifting the championship trophy, success on the court will ultimately depend on determination, teamwork and the ability to rise to the challenge when the opening whistle blows.
As the first tip-off approaches, dreams of championship glory are already taking shape in the hearts of players eager to represent their teams and make their mark in one of Keningau’s premier basketball competitions.
