Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s Eastern Long Lions support decision to call off Asean Basketball League – ‘safety is our top priority’
- Organisers say there is no safe way to complete remaining fixtures after competition suspended in March because of the pandemic
- Eastern Long Lions say they can now focus on next season and ‘hopefully reignite our challenge by getting more quality players’
Hong Kong’s Eastern Long Lions have supported the decision to abandon the Asean Basketball League season, with teams now focusing on resuming in 2021.
The regional league, which involves 10 professional teams across East Asia including the Southorn Stadium-based outfit, has been suspended since March because of the coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesday, the league announced it had little option but to call off the season.
“The 2019-20 season will be deemed concluded as there is no safe way to complete the remaining fixtures,” said a statement from the Singapore-based organisers.
“This decision is not an easy one and has not been made lightly. The overriding factor of our social responsibility, health and the well-being of our all stakeholders was at the forefront of our discussion … As Covid-19 turned into a pandemic, the nature of the league’s operation and fixtures have been severely impacted by the closure of borders and activities in order to contain the virus … thus rendering completion of the league improbable.”
Eastern executive manager Lee Shue-wing said it was the best decision.
