The Kuala Lumpur Dragons are officially announcing their participation in the local tournament; National Basketball League which will begin on the 9th of July 2010. The league is played with a 3 day game format in 4 different states; leading up to the playoff and finals on the 30th of July 2010 in MABA, Kuala Lumpur. The Dragons will be experimenting with their squad by temporarily swapping the roles of Assistant Coach Soo Eng Heng and Head Coach Goh Cheng Huat.

When asked about the about the decision to swap roles, Head Coach Goh Cheng Huat responded, “I’m confident that Coach Eng Heng will be able to lead the team to the title. He was a fantastic and smart player during his playing days in the national team. Since his injury which kept him out of his playing career, he has taken up coaching and been my assistant coach for nearly 4 years. Throughout that time, he has shown his understanding of the tactical and technical aspects of coaching basketball. I’m very sure he will be able to put all his experiences to good use and we will be assisting him all the way.”

Soo Eng Heng, 26, spoke about his temporary appointment as Head Coach for this tournament with delight, “I’m excited yet a little nervous as there is some pressure on myself with my aim to win this league. This is my first time leading such a prolific squad into a tournament. I’m glad that I will be assisted by the other coaches, and I look forward to gain valuable experience from this opportunity”.

The Dragons formed a squad for the NBL with a mix of experienced players from the Asean Basketball League; Guganeswaran Batumalai, John Ng Yeo Seng, Kwaan Yoong Jing, Chee Li Wei and Wee Chuan Chin, joined by new recruits Lau Er Kheng, Wong Wee Seng, Kuek Tian Yuan, Francis Loh Hoo Won, and Izran Edika. They will be reinforced with 2 new imported players from the states Alex Hartman, 25, standing at 201cm who was the top scorer in the ABL league last season with Satria Muda BritAma averaging 19.6pts per game. The other import, 203cm Donnie Stith, 25, has 2 years of professional playing experience in Europe prior to a college career at Tulane University where he ranks 3rd on the school’s career block list with 142 blocks.

Guganeswaran would be leading the team on court, as the newly appointed captain of the squad. Guga who has had a stint in China University Basketball League and also a member of the Malaysia national team said, “It’s a big responsibility placed on my shoulders. I’m excited yet focused on getting the job done. Being a captain, leadership is not only on the court, but off the court as well. We have to maintain our discipline and focus all the time with one goal in mind, to win the NBL. I hope our fans would turn up all around the circuits in all the states, and support us in our quest to win the league.”

The NBL 3 day games format begins on the 9th July 2010 in Bintulu Indoor Stadium, Sarawak; 16th July 2010 at the Dewan KDCA, Penampang, Sabah; 23rd July 2010, Poi Nam High School, Ipoh, Perak, and the playoff finals in Kuala Lumpur, MABA stadium on the 30th of July 2010.