Press Release
52-hour World Record Basketball Marathon Challenge to raise funds for Tsunami Relief Funds to rebuild sporting facilities in Banda Aceh and break into Guinness Book of World Records
(Singapore, 31 October 2005) The United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) and Republic Polytechnic (RP), with the support of Basketball Association of Singapore, will be staging a 52-hour World Record Basketball Marathon Challenge as part of efforts to raise $100,000 for Tsunami Relief Funds to rebuild sporting facilities in Banda Aceh. The feat is also targeted to achieve a new Guinness Book of World Records as the longest basketball marathon.
The event was developed by UWCSEA as part of the UWCSEA’s Tsunami Relief Programme, that comprises a Tsunami Education Fund as well as a project that helps to rebuild schools in Banda Aceh.
According to Mr Anthony Skillicorn, Director of Global Concerns, UWCSEA, “During our recent trips to Aceh as part of the UWCSEA’s Tsunami Relief Programme, we note that there is still a lot to be done in terms of rebuilding school and its sports facilities, in order for the local children to be able to resume normal education opportunities.
“Hence, we mooted the idea of using the sports as the platform to help further raise funds for this cause. We thank Republic Polytechnic for collaborating with us to stage the basketball marathon and the Basketball Association of Singapore for their support.”
The Republic Polytechnic was selected as the ideal institutional partner due to their strong commitment in the promotion of basketball, as reflected in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Basketball Association of Singapore in February this year.
Said Mr Eden Liew, Deputy Principal, Republic Polytechnic, “Republic Polytechnic strives to prepare our students to be all-rounders – confident learners and good thinkers with strong exposure to a sporting and culturally rich environment.
“The Basketball Marathon helps to build discipline, promote sporting achievement and inculcate the values of giving and sharing. We are honoured to co-organise the event with the United World College of South East Asia and to involve our staff and students in such a challenging but worthwhile effort.”
Besides mixed players from UWC and RP, two Acehnese participants have also been flown in to be a part of this milestone event.
The Basketball Marathon will commence at UWCSEA (Senior Sports Hall) from Thursday, 3November 9.30am and is targeted to achieve the 52hour world record by Saturday, 5November 1.00pm, beating the current official record of 30hours 12 mins set by Beatrice Hoops Basketball Association White and Orange Teams (USA), Beatrice, Nebraska, on 6-7 August 2004.
All participants have undergone health checks to certify that they are in good physical health in order to be eligible for the event. The players from UWCSEA have also undergone coaching sessions with the UWC Sports Psychologists to prepare themselves mentally for the challenge.
A series of fringe activities such as rockband performances, basketball coaching clinics by Australia Basketball team Perth Wildcats, novelty basketball games such as three pointer challenge, cheering squads, raffle ticket draws, food bazaar etc have been organized to create the necessary buzz during the Basketball Marathon period. <John, please feel free to add more information>
The event is open to the public, who are strongly encouraged to come forth and lend their presence to cheer on the participants, especially during the wee hours of the morning.
The efforts of UWCSEA and Republic Polytechnic in putting together the entire event with the aim to make a social difference, have also been applauded by the Basketball Association of Singapore.
Said Mr Wee Siew Kim, President of Basketball Association of Singapore, "What is noteworthy is that in spite of the many disasters that happened recently around the world, those still recovering from last December Tsunami are still not forgotten. I am extremely impressed by what UWCSEA and RP are doing to help this cause and to work this towards a sports activity like basketball is definitely an area which BAS would be most pleased to support."
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Issued on behalf of United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA), Republic Polytechnic (RP), with the support of Basketball Association of Singapore (BAS) by Übersprint M&C Pte Ltd.
Fact Sheet
| Event Name | 52 Hour World Record Basketball Marathon Challenge |
| Event Time | Start: Thursday 3rd November at 9am End : Saturday 5th November at 1pm |
| Venue | United World College of South East Asia, The Ian Spencer Sports Hall |
| Organizers | United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) Republic Polytechnic (RP) |
| Supported by | Basketball Association of Singapore |
| Players (female & male) | UWCSEA – 12 players (including one Acehnese player) RP – 12 players (including one Acehnese player) |
| Event Objectives | 1) To raise S$100,000 for Tsunami Relief Fund to build sports facilities in Banda Aceh 2) To break the current Guinness World Record for longest basketball game. |
| Key Regulations | 1) Regular basketball rules apply 2) Continuous play, no half time breaks; Only breaks allowed in the marathon are those breaks that are part of the normal game 3) Players cannot play for longer than 4 hours at one go 4) Any player leaving the court will have to rest for one hour minimum 5) Contestants need medical clearance as well as parental consent |
| Sponsors | OSIM, Spalding, (Ulli, please add the necessary) |