Basketball Association of Singapore and the Olympic & Asian Games

Singapore's 1956 Men's basketball team remains one of two team sports (the other being Waterpolo) that has ever represented the Republic at the highest level of sports - the Olympic Games.

The Singapore Amateur Basketball Federation (SABF) Men's team represented the colony state at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. Although it would not be three years till self-government and 9 years before Singapore's full independence, the cagers proudly played their hearts out for the Colony of Singapore.

Singapore contingent pin

for the 1956 Melbourne Games

Grouped with France, USSR & Canada, the Singaporeans lost all three games, getting no closer than 27 points to the winning sides, in each game.

With these losses, Singapore entered the quarter-final round amongst the lower seven teams - Republic of China, Australia & Thailand. Of these, the cagers could only beat Thailand 62-50. Afterwards, they went up against South Korea and triumphed 92-79, to be placed 13th overall.

Unfortunately, it was to be Singapore's first and last basketball appearance at an Olympic Games.

At the Asian Games, Singapore Basketball has fared better, with the cagers qualifying for the 1954, 1958, 1962 & 1970 Asian Games, with a best position of 5th overall, achieved in 1958.

Headshot of the 1970 Team Asst Coach

1970 Asian Games Basketball 

Team Souvenir Programme, Commemorative Medal &

Ribbon pin belonging to 

Asst. Coach Ong Ting Shayn

Closeup of the Ribbon pin

Domestically, with governent support and Goh Chye Hin's SCAAF leading the charge, basketball was actively played at the annual "Pesta Sukan" or "Festival of Sports" that was instituted, to build inter-community bonds between the various racial groups, in the wake of the deadly 1964 Racial Riots in Singapore.

Basketball Memorabilia from the 1960s

By then, the SABF was renamed Basketball Association of Singapore (BAS) and even though Goh Chye Hin had stepped down, he remained Patron of the Association, dishing out advice and guidance to the ExCo.

1970, saw direct government involvement in BAS, when Minister Jek Yuen Thong was elected President of the Association. This direct involvement by the government has largely continued till present day, with current BAS President, being a former Member of Parliament.

Basketball in Singapore enjoys tremendous support from the Chinese community, with a smattering of Indians playing the sport as well.

However, there is very few Malay representation in the sport, which is a pity as 17% of the population of Singapore is made up of the Malay community. This represents an untapped resource, given Singapore's small population.