Singapore First Basketball Experience

Basketball was introduced to Singapore as early as 1925 and it was attracting interest and participation from numerous schools.

How BAS was established

The Singapore Basketball and Volleyball Association (1934) - to further promote the sport and the organization was responsible for organizing the Malaysia and Singapore Basketball Championship.

Chinese Sports Improvement Council (1939), which was considered to be the first instance of BAS.

Singapore Amateur Basketball Association (SABA) (1946), led by Permanent Honorary Chairman Mr Goh Chye Hin, after the resolution of WW2 which affected the promotion of basketball.

First men's national team participated in the 1956 Summer Olympics.

SABA became a member of FIBA Asia in 1961 and the men's team began participating in the ABC Championship (now FIBA Asia Cup).

It renamed itself as the Basketball Association of Singapore (BAS) in 1967.

First International Invitation Competition (MERLION CUP)

In 1964, SABA began the annual Sports Festival by inviting basketball teams from Asia, Middle East, and Australia to participate and it eventually became an important event in the international basketball.

In 1984, the competition renamed to Merlion International Invitation Competition. Basketball team from USSR, USA, China, Spain, and Germany were invited.

Despite many challenges by organizing Merlion Cup annually, e.g. sponsorship issues amidst a recession (1986) and clash of Southeast Asian Games (1993), BAS decided to revive the tournament in 2016 again.

2010 YOG FIBA 3x3

Singapore hosted the inaugural Youth Olympic Games back in 2010, featuring the fresh format (3x3) in the Basketball history. Making its first appearance to the international stage, it was the hottest talk of the town and even across the globe.

2013 SEA Games Bronze

In the 2013 SEA Games, hosted by Myanmar, the Singapore Men's Basketball team ended the 34-years medal drought by placing a bronze medal into the records. It was surely the start of the many achievements for the Singapore Basketball team.

2015 SEA Games Bronze

Held at home ground for the Singapore athletes, was the significant Southeast Asia tournament SEA Games in 2015. Singapore managed to defend its bronze position with a close victory over Thailand.

Local Competitions

BAS organizes the following local tournaments:

National Basketball League - Division 1
Women's National Basketball League
National Basketball League Qualifying Round
National Masters Basketball Tournament (Men & Women)
National Youth Championship (U14/U16/U18 Boys & Girls)
3X3 National Championships

International Competitions

BAS organized the following international tournaments:

Merlion Cup Series
SEA Women Basketball League 2023
Singapore Pesta Sukan Women Basketball Invitation 2003
Men's Invitation Cup 2014
Asian Women's Basketball Championship