Discord sees pair out of Asian event

THE inaugural Asian men's under-22 championships scheduled to start in Hongkong on Wednesday has been reduced to 12 teams following the withdrawal of seeded China and the disqualification of Iran.

China were one of four seeded countries along with South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines. Japan have now been named to head the preliminary Group C.

Tournament secretary Sam Ho Wai-hing said: ''The Chinese pulled out because our competition clashes with the qualifying rounds of the All-China National Games, a premier inter-provincial event.

''The Chinese basketball association told us the provincial teams have refused to release players and therefore they have no alternative but to withdraw.'' Ho also announced that the tournament committee had disqualified Iran, because their association had still to submit players' and officials' names, even though the event is only days away.

''We have pressed Iran several times but they have ignored our requests,'' said Ho, also administration officer of the Hongkong Basketball Association.

''They have held up our preparations, like hotel bookings and the printing of the souvenir programme, and we finally decided to go ahead without them.'' A re-aranged draw, South Korea, the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan head the four qualifying pools of three teams each.