The eight-day ISF World School Basketball Championship concluded yesterday, with mainland China defeating France 72-65 in the women’s finals, while Greece defeated France 74:63 in the men’s finals.
The women’s and men’s finals took place at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion. Organised by the International School Sport Federation (ISF) and co-hosted by the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), the tournament kicked off last Tuesday at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion, which marked the start of the 117 matches played by more than 600 secondary school students in 37 teams from 20 countries or regions, comprising Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, mainland China, Cyprus, Czech Republic (Czechia), France, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Chinese Taipei, Turkey (Türkiye) and Uganda, at the Sports Complex of the University of Macau (UM), Mong Ha Sports Centre and Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion.
China Team 1 won the women’s title, France and New Zealand took second and third place respectively, while Greece won the men’s title, and France and Turkey (Türkiye) took second and third place respectively. Macau Boys’ School Basketball Team finished 10th with a 33-73 defeat against mainland China.
Wrapping up the tournament during yesterday’s closing ceremony, DSEDJ Director Kong Chi Meng said in a speech: “I believe that all the athletes here will experience the charm of Macau as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure from different perspectives during the matches and cultural experiences in Macau,” noting that the tournament attracted a lot of attention from the public, as each match was streamed online, with a cumulative total of more than 60,000 viewers.
Delivering a speech during the ceremony, ISF Delegate Zeljko Tanaskovic expressed his gratitude to the International School Sport Federation for its vision and leadership in promoting school sport worldwide: “Your efforts in creating platforms like this championship help foster global friendships, cultural exchange, and a love for sport among young people.” Tanaskovic also expressed his gratitude to the Macau government for its “warm hospitality and excellent organisation”.
China Team 1 student-athletes pose with their medals and trophy won in the women’s finals of the ISF World School Basketball Championship, which ended yesterday at Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion. International School Sport Federation (ISF) President Laurent Petrynka (ninth from left) and Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) Director Kong Chi Meng (11th from left) posed with the victorious team members during the award ceremony yesterday. – Photo: Yuki Lei
