Grassroots basketball development in Dubai will get a big lift with the arrival of Philippine basketball legend ‘The Skywalker’ Samboy Lim, who will train his padawans (students) at the opening of his Skywalker Basketball Clinic on August 22, at Strokes Sports Gym in Rashidiya.
Avelino Borromeo Lim, Jr., 51, better known as Samboy Lim, is one of the Philippine Basketball Association’s all-time 25 Greatest Players (The PBA is the first professional basketball league in Asia and is the second oldest in the world after the NBA).
Lim led the Philippine national team to a silver medal finish in the 1990 Beijing Asian Games and was adjudged the Most Valuable Player.
During his heydays, Lim was an impact player who dominated the game by penetrating any defence. Standing at six feet flat, he used his speed and leaping ability to create impossible shots.
He earned the moniker ‘The Skywalker’ for his aerial moves, above-the-rim plays and often dangerous attacks – all punctuated with acrobatic shots, hang-time moves, or slam dunks.
Lim is accurate at shooting and is dangerous in isolation plays. He pioneered the cross-over, head-shoulder fake move to by-pass his defenders. He is best remembered as the only player to have got a standing ovation and applause from the crowd (even those cheering for the opposing team) every time he walked up on court.
“The iconic PBA star’s desire is for kids to excel in basketball,” said local organiser Ricky Longares. “He will teach the kids his own moves – the same moves that elevated him to the PBA’s Hall of Fame.
"His passion is setting a standard that is totally different from other basketball clinics. He checks every step and every move to impart his Skywalker brand of basketball.
“The Skywalker Basketball Clinic is open to all kids, of all nationalities from ages four and up. We want them to become sportminded and we encourage them to become health-conscious and at the same time develop sportsmanship and foster camaraderie with other kids. We are supportive of the thrusts of the Dubai Sports Council,” added Longares.
The first batch of students will be divided into three categories: beginner – for first time ballers; intermediate – recommended for those who are already playing basketball but want to bring their game to the next level; and elite – for players who want to improve their game to a higher competitive level.
Lim will be assisted by other coaches who he trained personally to impart the high-standard of his basketball proficiency. The camp fee is set at Dh400 per child and with it comes a free official ball and a basketball jersey set.
At the end of the basketball clinic, a skills competition will be held for the three-point shoot-out and 3-on-3 pick-up games.
Exhibition games and basketball tournaments such as an Inter- Emirate High School Basketball League will also follow in the course of the training and will be held at the same venue.
To be a basketball padawan, register now at www.skywalkeruae.com or call Longares at 056 160-5251.
What: Skywalker Basketball Clinic (open to all kids)
Where: Strokes Sports Gym in Rashidiya, Dubai
When: Starting on August 22 (Friday) at 08:00 Contact: Ricky Longares (056 160-5251)
Website: www.skywalkeruae.com
