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大馬籃總/金群利杯全國籃球錦標賽，也就是「非華全國籃球錦標賽」目前正在進行中，決賽將於本週日上演。

趁著這個機會，我們不妨來談談這個頗具爭議、卻也帶有馬來西亞特色的概念：

在大馬，由於籃球是在上世紀20年代初期，由來自中國的教師以及從中國畢業歸來的老師傳入，逐漸演變成華人學校及社群流行的運動。因此，籃球一向被標籤為「華人的運動」。

這並不是什麼貶低之語，而是多年來累積下來的現實。從學校到國家隊，多數球員、教練、官員與觀眾，確實來自華人社群。

推動改變，其實早在五十年前就開始了

事實上，大馬籃總（MABA）在過去五十年裡，一直希望讓籃球成為真正的「全民運動」—— 一項由不同族群共同參與、喜愛、並代表的運動。

早在 1973 年，時任籃總會長、已故丹斯里李三春便在吉隆坡精武體育館創辦了首屆全國非華男子籃球錦標賽。

他的願景非常清楚：

這項比賽，也就是今天我們說的「非華全國賽」，在當年確實是個破格之舉。

它為馬來同胞、印度同胞與其他非華球員提供了參賽空間與發展機會，也讓他們在原本由華人主導的籃球圈裡有了立足之地。

為何今天看起來卻怪怪的？

這樣的安排在當年或許合理，但放在今天，卻顯得格格不入。

你想要團結大家，但卻又先把人分開？

這在邏輯上好像哪里不對勁。

出發點是好的，但手法值得反思

說得直白一點，這整個想法本身就矛盾重重。

你不會透過創造排外來推動包容。

你不會透過族群分類來慶祝多元。

你更不會透過加強「誰屬於、誰是外來者」的刻板印象來改變現況。

當你繼續使用「非華」這個名稱時，其實就是在潛意識裡傳達：

「籃球是華人的，其他族群是被邀請來的。」

即便出發點良善，它最終仍可能淪為一個象徵性的小圈子，而不是帶來結構性改變的真正舞台。

但我們也不能否定它的歷史角色與過渡意義

當然，凡事都有兩面，我們也該換個角度看：

1973 年的這項安排，確實打破了當時的局限。那是一個代表籃總高層已經察覺不平衡，並願意做出改變的舉措。

即使現在看來手法看似粗糙、甚至令人質疑，當時它仍是一個重要的起點：

• 給了從未參與過的族群一個平台
• 培養了更多來自不同背景的球員與榜樣
• 也在社會上傳遞了一個訊息：籃球應該是全民的

只不過，如果今天我們還把它視為永久機制，而不是通往融合的「過渡平台」，那它就會停在原地、失去意義。

別忘了，1973 年的初衷從來不是創造長期分隔的制度，而是為了鋪路，讓不同族群最終能站上同一個舞台。

現實中的榜樣，早已存在

其實過去這些年，我們並不缺乏優秀的非華球員。我們早就見證過多位馬來人和印度裔球員，成為國家隊的重要成員。

像是施仁（Satyaseelan）、古加尼（Guganeswaran）、赫伯特（Herbert Legada）、奧利弗（Oliver Sejas）、安德魯（Andrew Mulhearn）、伊達姆（Idham Khalid）、法德利桑（Ismail Fadlisyam）、埃迪卡（Izran Edika） 這些名字，對大馬籃球熟悉的人來說，絕對不陌生。

他們不只是代表了國家，更在本地聯賽打出了一段段傳奇。像赫伯特、奧利弗、施仁和古加尼，甚至被視為本地籃壇的傳奇人物。

這證明了一件事：

與其說「非華籃球」是一個待開發的概念，不如說它其實早已在我們眼前發生過了。只是我們還沒把它真正寫進主流敘事裡。

那我們真正該怎麼做？

與其繼續區分，不如真正打通整個系統：

• 主動走入校園與基層社區。專注於青訓發展，這一點非常重要。讓籃球資源流向目前參與度低的地區與族群。
• 培養多元背景的教練與領導者。 讓體制本身反映我們想打造的馬來西亞。
• 重新定義籃球敘事。 不要再把籃球包裝成「華人文化」，而是「馬來西亞的機會」。
• 放大榜樣的力量。 多曝光馬來、印裔、原住民球員，讓年輕人看見未來的自己。
• 最重要的： 取消族群分類，讓大家同場競技。真正的自豪，來自共融不是分割。

結語：我們不需要永遠的「非華」籃球

與其說「我們需要更多馬來人和印度人來打籃球」作為一種表面數字，
不如說：

我們需要的是一個制度，讓下一代無論膚色、語言或姓氏，都能拿起籃球，心想：

因為籃球最美的時候，從來不是關於種族。

它關於節奏、拼搏與團隊。關於我們能否一起奔跑在同一個球場上。

— Jordan

🇬🇧 ENGLISH VERSION

You Can’t Integrate by Segregating… Or Can You?

Since the MABA/Matrix Cup National Basketball Championship — also known as the Non-Chinese National Basketball Championship — is currently taking place and runs through this Sunday, it’s a good time to revisit one of the most uniquely Malaysian approaches to sports development:

In Malaysia, basketball was introduced in the early 1920s by teachers from China and Malaysian Chinese educators who had studied there. Over time, it evolved into a sport deeply rooted in Chinese schools and communities.

That’s why basketball has long been labeled a “Chinese sport.”

That’s not a criticism. It’s just the reality on the ground.From school teams to national squads, the majority of players, coaches, officials, and fans come from Chinese communities.

But the Push for Change Didn’t Start Yesterday

In fact, the Malaysia Basketball Association (MABA) has been trying to make basketball a truly national sport — played, loved, and represented by all Malaysians — for over 50 years.

Back in 1973, then-president the late Tan Sri Lee San Choon launched the first Non-Chinese National Basketball Championship.

His vision? To one day see non-Chinese players proudly wearing county, state, and national team jerseys.

That initiative was a bold move for its time.

It gave Malay, Indian, and other non-Chinese players a space to compete, grow, and feel welcome in a sport that was — and still is — largely Chinese-dominated.

So Why Does It Feel Off Today?

While the intention was noble and visionary in 1973, today… it feels awkward. Even counterproductive.

You want to unite people — so you split them up?

That doesn't make sense at all.

The Case Against It Today: Good Intentions, Flawed Execution

Let’s be honest — the whole idea is laced with contradiction.

You don’t make basketball inclusive by creating exclusive lanes.

You don’t celebrate diversity by separating people by race.

And you definitely don’t change perception by reinforcing it.

By continuing to call it a “Non-Chinese” category, you’re doubling down on the idea that basketball is inherently Chinese — and everyone else is a guest.

Even if well-meaning, it risks becoming a charity bracket instead of a real platform for change.

The Case For It: Imperfect but Necessary First Step?

But of course, there are always two sides in everything. Let's look at the positive side of this.

Creating this category back in 1973 showed that someone at the top was paying attention. They saw the imbalance — and they tried to do something about it.

And while it might have been awkward, clumsy, and even controversial… it was still a step.

A starting point for players who may have never felt welcome.

A space to spark representation, role models, and grassroots interest. A public acknowledgment that basketball in Malaysia needed to evolve.

If — and only if — it’s treated as an on-ramp to full integration, not a permanent parking lot, it might still serve a purpose today.

But that only works if the system evolves alongside it.

Even the original 1973 vision wasn’t about separation — it was about paving the way toward inclusion.

Real Role Models Already Exist

The truth is, over the years, we’ve seen many outstanding non-Chinese players emerge and make their mark on the national team.

Names like Satyaseelan, Guganeswaran, Herbert Legada, Oliver Sejas, Andrew Mulhearn, Idham Khalid, Ismail Fadlisyam, and Izran Edika have all shown that basketball in Malaysia is bigger than any one racial group.

Some, like Herbert, Oliver, Satyaseelan, and Guganeswaran, even reached legend status in the local basketball scene — admired for their skill, leadership, and longevity.

This proves one thing:

In fact, “non-Chinese basketball” isn’t some experimental future — It’s already part of our history. We just haven’t fully written it into the national narrative.

So What’s the Better Play?

Instead of segmenting:

• Go where the kids are. Focus on grassroots development. Bring basketball programs to schools, communities, and states that aren’t represented.
• Train and hire coaches from all backgrounds. Make leadership reflect the Malaysia you want to build.
• Stop selling basketball as a Chinese tradition. Start marketing it as a Malaysian opportunity.
• Use role models. Feature Indian, Malay, or even Orang Asli players in your visuals, stories, and hero moments.
• And most importantly — put everyone in the same tournament. That’s how you build shared pride.

Final Whistle

We don’t need a “Non-Chinese” category forever.

Instead of saying “We need more Malays and Indians in basketball” as a checkbox metric, the goal should be:

We need a system where the next generation — regardless of race — looks at a basketball and thinks: “This game was made for someone like me.”

Because at its best, basketball isn’t about race. It’s about rhythm, resilience, and running the floor — together.