| James Kon |
THANKS to the partnership between FIBA Oceania and Brunei Basketball Association (BBA), NBA G-League Assistant Coach Damien Cotter is currently in Brunei Darussalam to help shape the Brunei national basketball team for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualification set to tip off from June 26 to 30 in Nontahburi, Thailand.
Brunei will be playing in the six-team tournament comprising Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand for the qualifiers. Only the top four teams will advance to the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 pre-qualifiers in September.
After setting foot in the country since May 30, the Australian coach has been working together with local head coach Lim Boon Teck and Haji Md Sofian bin Haji Md Yusof to help train the national team at the Batu Bersurat Basketball Court.
Cotter has seen the potential of the team and during an interview with Borneo Bulletin said, “What is really impressive here is the players’ attitude. In two sessions, I have seen encouraging improvements. I am also impressed with the motivation of the committee of the Brunei Basketball Association to improve the sport of basketball.
“Brunei basketball team should have the aspiration to get to the top level of the region to compete. Being out of the international scene for a while, I give the association the credit of bringing the team together to compete. So any positive result in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualification will be beyond success.”
FIBA Oceania Executive Director David Crocker and BBA Secretary General Lim Fung has worked together to bring Cotter to help the national team’s preparation.
Cotter said, “I am in Brunei on behalf of FIBA Oceania through FIBA Oceania Executive Director David Crocker; we want to help develop the game in this region.”
The assistant coach for the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League is in Brunei from May 30 to June 20 and when asked if the duration is enough to develop Brunei’s basketball, he replied, “I think we will get a good understanding of where basketball is at and set up positive activities to further build the future of basketball in Brunei.”
Besides helping to improve basketball skills, he also hopes to develop basketball coaching in all levels and in the short term, help the Brunei national basketball team prepare for the upcoming 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualification.
Cotter said, “The two important elements in basketball are good coaches and good referees. I would again like to give credit to the association for contacting David Crocker to bring a coach here. The goal is to try to get more consistent coaching and experience here. Ultimately, we want to try to develop Brunei’s very own coaches to coach the national team because I felt that all the strong basketball nations have their own coaches to train their respective national teams. “
On building basketball from grassroots level, he said, “I will be visiting the academy tomorrow and take a look at the grassroots level. I will also do some work with the women’s basketball team. In the three weeks, we will try to help impact the sport of basketball positively.”
Coach Damien Cotter also said that after arriving in Brunei, he already enjoyed the warmth and friendliness of Bruneians as well as the good coffee.
The Brunei national team heading to the upcoming 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualification are Ching Wei Ming, Chong Ching Poh, Han Ming Kwong, Md Zainul Ashyraf bin Haji Hussin, Khoo Chin Kai, Lim Chee Chuon, Benjamin Sim (Captain), Onn Jen Hao, Tan Ye Wei, Ahmad Termizi bin Haji Noordeen, Soon Kian Leong and Yap Jenn Chyuan. Brunei will tip off against the host Thailand on June 26 for its first match in the tournament.
“We are really grateful that FIBA has facilitated for Damian to help us with our National Team preparation. Damian will also provide input on our youth and women’s team development while he is here,” said Lim Fung.
BBA thanked Mulia Hotel, Easyway and Funzania for sponsoring the accommodation and food for Damian Cotter.