The FIBA 3X3 Macau Masters – Wynn Cup Greater Bay Area Qualifying Tournament held its opening ceremony at the Ruins of St. Pauls yesterday, at the start of the five-day tournament. The tournament will continue until Sunday at the Ruins of St. Pauls, Largo do Pagode da Barra, and Wynn Palace in Cotai, according to a statement by the Sports Bureau (ID).
The Swiss-based International Basketball Federation (FIBA – French: Fédération Internationale de Basketball) is an association of national organisations which governs the sport of basketball worldwide.
The tournament is jointly hosted by the bureau and StarMac Entertainment Production Ltd. It is co-organised by Absolute 3X3 Basketball and the Macau-China Basketball Association, and sponsored by Wynn.
ID President Pun Weng Kun, Wynn Resorts (Macau) President and Managing Director Linda Chen Chih-Ling, StarMac Entertainment Production President Lou Kit Long, Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture (GSASC) Chief-of-Cabinet Ho Ioc San and Macau-China Basketball Association Chairman Wu Chong Fai attended the opening ceremony in front of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed St Paul’s Ruins.
According to a statement by the hosts about the opening ceremony, teams from 11 cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) are taking part in the tournament. The statement pointed out that the tournament aims to raise the standard of Macau’s 3X3 basketball game and promote sports exchange programmes and cooperation with the GBA region.
The statement quoted Pun as saying in his speech at the ceremony that 3X3 basketball is filled with vitality and has become popular internationally in recent years. Pun said that this was the first time that a 3X3 tournament is being held in Macau – and at local World Heritage sites. He pointed out that this allows teams and participants to compete while experiencing the charm of Macau’s World Heritage sites.
Pun also noted that his bureau strives to constantly organise sports events in order to promote the local sports sector’s development. Pun also said that the tournament strictly follows the COVID-19 prevention guidelines laid out by the Health Bureau (SSM) so that tourists can experience Macau as an active, energetic and safe city.
Basketball players compete during the FIBA 3X3 Macau Masters – Wynn Cup Greater Bay Area Qualifying Tournament at the Ruins of St Pauls after yesterday’s opening ceremony of the five-day tournament. Photo: Ula Cheang
