THE Malaysian Basketball Association (Maba) have big dreams under their new president, Datuk Lee Tian Hock.
Not only are they targeting a Sea Games gold medal within six years, Maba are also going the FA of Malaysia's way by naturalising players in the hope of attaining success.
Their other goals are to modernise their headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and ensure the association is financially stable.
Tian Hock announced his vision and goals for Maba after he was unanimously appointed president following the national body's extraordinary general meeting (AGM), replacing Datuk Tan Kang Yong yesterday.
"Believe me, we will achieve our gold medal target within the next six years," Tian Hock assured in his maiden speech to a round of applause from all 18 MABA affiliates in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The last time Malaysia won gold at the biennial Games was in the 2017 KL edition through the women's team.
The men's team, however, have not won gold since the 1989 Games, also in KL.
Tian Hock assured that MABA are financially sound for the next 12 months after donating RM1 million to ensure this year's operations are carried out.
"We will plan the activities for MABA, our medium-term plan. It will take time to solicit funds, so I have donated RM1 million for our events this year.
"Whether or not there is a cut in funding, we don't know, but we will pursue with the Sports Ministry and the other bodies.
"We will have our first executive committee meeting (exco) on Jan 22, where the secretariat will lay out plans for this year. So far, we have not conceptualised anything.
"Let us meet and make the announcement then. Any planning and expenditure must be endorsed by the exco first," added Tian Hock.
Tian Hock appointed Tan Kee Hian as the new MABA secretary-general, replacing Tong See Koou.