Veteran Hong Kong basketball star Li heading to European Championships with Great Britain team
- Dale Li thought his playing days were behind him when he relocated to Nottingham, now he’s preparing to suit up against best in Europe
- Maxibasketball competition is for players 35 and over, and will take place in Italy in June
From overcoming the language barrier to changing position on the court, former Hong Kong basketball player Dale Li Ka-yiu is ready to make the leap and don the Great Britain jersey for the first time this summer.
After playing in the local A1 Division league for 19 seasons, most notably for Winling and South China, and then spending a couple more as a coach, the Hongkonger moved to the United Kingdom to start a new life in Nottingham, only to find his favourite sport waiting for him – 9,589 kilometres away from home.
The 45-year-old will represent Team GB at the Maxibasketball European Championships in June, and said the pace and physical nature of the game in the UK had taken some getting used to.
“A local friend told me about GB Maxibasketball, and they happened to host this year’s selection in my neighbourhood,” Li said. “I wanted to experience basketball in the UK so I signed up for it.
“It’s a test for me after playing the sport for 30 years, I’d like to know where my skill level and stamina stand [among Europeans of similar age].”
GB Maxibasketball, which is supported by every home nation basketball governing body in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, is a performance programme for elite players aged 35-plus years.
