KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Teams from Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand will take part in the inaugural Asean Basketball League (ABL) which kicks off on Oct 10 in Jakarta.

The first privately-run professional sports league in South-East Asia will run till February.

ABL chairman Datuk Tony Fernandes said such a league would boost sporting excellence in the region.

"Asean sports have been lagging in terms of quality in comparison with those in the West," he said. "Something has to be done to put it on the world stage.

"Hopefully this league will transform and bring more excitement back into Asean sports," he added.

It was only a year ago that Fernandes envisioned the league.

He said: "To see how this idea has come forth is just exciting. Now with TV deals, sponsors in place and the teams all raring to go, the ABL will be ready to take the region by storm."

Sanctioned by the Southeast-Asia Basketball Association (Seaba), the ABL also places emphasis on developing basketball.

Local players will also get a chance to pursue a career in basketball with professional contracts and improved standards. -The Star/ANN