SINGAPORE — After a 20-year hiatus, basketball’s Merlion Cup is set to make a return in September, with two club teams from China registering their interest in Singapore’s invitational tournament.

Basketball Association of Singapore (BAS) honorary secretary Ong Swee Teck revealed that plans are in the pipeline to bring back the event, with the OCBC Arena booked as the venue to host the event in September.

According to Ong, the Merlion Cup was discontinued in 1996 because of the economic downturn in Asia. It used to see the national team sparring against opponents from Yugoslavia, Philippines, West Germany, China and South Korea, playing in front of capacity crowds of about 8,000 at the old Gay World Stadium in Geylang.

“The Merlion Cup return has always been a dream of the BAS management committee over the past few years. Nothing is finalised yet, but it could happen this year,” Ong, who was elected as honorary secretary at the BAS last July, told TODAY. “Our aim is always to improve the game of basketball in terms of popularity and standards, and the Merlion Cup could be a real game-changer in that.

“With more sparring opportunities for our players with these professional clubs around the world, our game could improve too, and I am sure the OCBC Arena will be crowded with people, especially old basketball fans who used to support the tournament back then.”

Ong was speaking on the sidelines of a sponsorship signing ceremony yesterday at the Singapore Basketball Centre with sports retailer Key Power International.

The three-year deal, worth more than S$60,000, will see Key Power International provide compression wear and other products for the Singapore national men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Besides bringing back the Merlion Cup, the newly elected BAS management committee also has exciting plans to raise interest in the sport among the public.

Plans for a three-on-three basketball tournament, to be played at neighbourhood basketball courts in the heartlands, are also being drafted for this year, while a masters competition was also launched yesterday with 15 teams signing up for it.

And while there was some uncertainty over the future of national men’s basketball team veteran head coach, Neo Beng Siang, whose contract runs out next month, Ong reiterated yesterday that the BAS is keen to keep him.

“We should have a clearer idea by end of this month,” said Ong. “We have plans, and have looked at some of the top local coaches, as well as overseas coaches (should he leave).” ADELENE WONG