The GoStrong Basketball Academy (GSA) and Taiwan-based talent management agency BK Squad launched their International Scholarship Programme for aspiring basketball athletes yesterday.
It is a significant move for the Malaysian basketball community as young players now have a chance to move to Taiwan to progress in their careers.
GSA had sent 2.04m V. Dhayalan to Taiwan in 2019. He had spent two years in high school and competed in their High School Basketball League (HBL).
In conjunction with this newly minted partnership, GSA are sending three more players — Aqil Daniyal Fareed, Jeremiah Philip and Adli Najdat Azwanddin to Taiwan to pursue their academics and basketball.
Both Aqil and Jeremiah will join the Taoyuan Private Yung Ping Technological High School and compete in the HBL.
Adli, who has received a scholarship to join Chung Yuan University, will compete in the University Basketball Association (UBA).
"We have been working on this programme since 2019, and we want to continue sending aspiring cagers to Taiwan," said GoStrong co-founder Razif Nasruddin, who is also the scholarship programme director.
"Of course for this programme, there are certain criteria. Taiwan are looking for tall players with talent.
"It is beneficial for players to be in Taiwan as the level there is higher and playing abroad gives you an edge in the future.
"We've seen how Dylan progressed as a player. We want more players to go to Taiwan and pursue their dreams."
The programme is open to those aged between 15 and 18, who want to play abroad on a full or partial scholarship with Taiwan being one of its main destinations.
Aqil, Jeremiah and Adli will depart for Taiwan on Oct 26.
