VIENTIANE (Laos) – The Coordination Council meeting of FIBA Asia Sub-Zone South East Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) was held at the Laotian capital of Vientiane on Sunday with discussions focussed on consolidation of gains in competitions as also the grassroot development in the Sub-Zone.
Attended by FIBA Asia president Dr. K Govindaraj and FIBA Executive Director Mr. Hagop Khajirian, the meeting was chaired by SEABA President Mr. Nguyen Hoang Bao (VIE) with SEABA Secretary General Dr. Koh Koon Teck present.
The delegates to the meeting were greeted by the President of the Laos National Federation Dr. Kikeo Chanthabouli.
SEABA Vice-President Mr. Tan Kee Hian (MAS) and SEABA Treasurer Mr. Piaypong Piroon (THA) along with Mr. Ouk Sethycheat (CAM) and Mrs. Nirmala Dewi (INA) were also present. Mr. Jake Goh Kiat Hing (BRU), Dr. Alongkone Phengsavanh (LAO), Mr. Severino Alberto Antonio (PHI) and Mr. Andy Chiang Chee Chien (SGP) all attended the meeting via video conferencing.
“The SEABA Sub-Zone has always been a traditional stronghold for basketball administration in Asia,” said Mr. Khajirian.
“Over the past two years, the Sub-Zone has seen a tremendous rise in the popularity of the sport with the stupendous success of BCLA Asia – East, which is heading to the Final 6 next week in Johor Bahru,” he added.
Sub-Zone Qualifiers
A report was presented on the preparations for the forthcoming SEABA Sub-Zone Qualifiers and appreciated the high interest for participation.
The 2026 SEABA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Qualifiers will be played in Baccolod (Philippines) from June 2-6, where six teams – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – will battle it out for top honours.
The 2026 SEABA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Qualifiers will also identify one team to participate in the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup – Division B competition scheduled to be held in Bangkok (Thailand) from July 13-19.
“We note with appreciation the fact that U18 Women’s National Teams are not only aiming for qualification, but also are utilising the opportunity to prepare their teams,” said Mr. Khajirian.
Two of three teams – Malaysia and Philippines – are already a part of the competition in the 2026 FIBA 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup – Division A to be played in Seremban (Malaysia) from Oct 4-10 and Thailand have automatically qualified for the Division B competition as hosts.
The 2026 SEABA U18 Asia Cup Qualifiers will be played in Krabi (Thailand) from June 10-14, where six teams – Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – will battle it out for top honours and qualify two teams to the 2026 FIBA U18 Asia Cup to be played in August later this year.
“National Federations in the SEABA Sub-Zone will also host some high-profile FIBA Asia competitions giving a further fillip to promotion of the sport in the region,” Mr. Khajirian said.
Manila the capital of Philippines will host the 2027 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in July next year, marking the return of FIBA’s flagship event for women’s National Teams to the SEABA Sub-Zone after more than a decade.
Indonesia will host the 2027 FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup next year followed by the 2028 FIBA U16 Asia Cup the following year.
“Given that the SEABA Sub-Zone will host all these key events, this meeting was very significant to discuss measures to capitalise on these events and focus on development of sport, both in terms of competitive excellence on court as well as administrative efficiency in delivering the events to FIBA standards,” Mr. Khajirian said.
FIBA