Lamma Island community website

Organizers behind the Lamma Island Pinoy Basketball League (LIPBL) appear to have made a huge planning mistake. The negative consequences may be enormous, even deadly.

As summer-heat intensifies, the LIPBL games on Yung Shue Wan's outdoor basketball court become more lethargic and vastly less fun for the participants. Playing such a vigorous sport outdoors at the hottest times of day as tropical summer weather intensifies looks unwise. Alas, Lamma Island has no indoor hoops court.

With the games always at mid-day, as the sun glares and temperatures soar into the 30s Celsius, the running-jumping-bouncing action degenerates into a really bizarre game of Russian roulette to see which player on which of the six teams will become the first to collapse (and perhaps die) from heat stroke. Even the youngest, fittest team members, who run the hardest and play the longest, may fall prey. Or will a referee topple first?

As one of the players, not only am I reluctant to participate in more sweltering daytime games, but I doubt if anyone should. Nor do I wish to be a spectator when the Russian-roulette aspect claims its first victim. Maybe some potential 'fans' would consider Russian roulette on a basketball court highly entertaining. But with other players on every team having become good friends, I almost cannot bear to watch.

Every game-day (next on May 20) involves three contests - at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. A partial solution would be to swing the start times to the slightly cooler evening hours, say 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Better yet, why not suspend play entirely until October?

Earlier, the LIPBL played two successful "seasons" (early and late 2011) in cooler weather. This time, only really good luck or suspension of play can prevent a serious tragedy before a new champion emerges at the end of June.

After all, the Hong Kong Jockey Club slates its horse races for the cooler wintertime. If fleet-footed, muscular equine athletes dislike the summer heat, then how can human hoopsters tolerate it?

TEMPERATURE AT THE COURT WILL BE MONITORED?

Basketball Organizers React

Editor's Note:
On May 17, the organizing committee behind the Lamma Island Pinoy Basketball League (LIPBL) emailed the following advisory to all players:

Dear Players,

Day Three of our ongoing tournament proceeds as scheduled this Sunday (May 20). To avoid any untoward heat-related incidents during our basketball games, please see the following rule modifications and reminders:

There will be mandatory timeouts at the 2.5min and 7.5min marks of the 1-3 quarters, charged to teams' timeouts.
Team benches will be allowed to be positioned on the side of the court opposite to the committee's table, which is shaded and cooler.
Teams are requested to bring an electric fan and extension cords for their use.
Teams must bring their own bucket of ice and water. Not just for drinking, but for dipping their towels and cooling themselves with. Other ways to cool down, such as ice candies, are also recommended.
The temperature at the court will be monitored. Players themselves can decide whether they can continue to play. Play would be halted by the committee if the temperature reaches unplayable conditions.
Players with ailments or not feeling 100-per-cent are advised to skip the game for their own safety.

Team Leaders and Assistant Team Leaders, please coordinate with your players regarding the things to prepare before the game (as mentioned above).

If you have other suggestions on how to improve game conditions, please let us know. Thank you.