ADISAK LIMPRUNGPATANAKIJ, president of the Nation Broadcasting Corporation, second from right, with Siam University president Dr Pornchai Mongkolvanich, centre, Suthep Benjapokee, president of the Basketball Association of Thailand, third from right, and

The top eight men's teams from the National University Games, hosted by Mahidol University Salaya campus this year, will revive their rivalry in the event, which has the support of the Basketball Association of Thailand.

All teams are divided into two groups with Thammasat University, Dhurakij Pundit University, Rangsit University and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology University North Bangkok comprising Group A, Bangkok University, Srinakarinwirot University, Rattana Bundit University and hosts Siam in Group B.

The first round will be played on a home-and-away basis, with participating teams hosting at least three matches. Only the top two in each group will be eligible to play in the best-of-three series semi-finals. The top two teams will vie for the prestigious HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn trophy in the final.

The top four teams in this tournament will be awarded cash prizes of Bt50,000, Bt40,000, Bt30,000 and Bt20,000.

"Basketball has gained tremendous popularity in foreign countries, but not in Thailand. We [Nation Broadcasting Corporation] want to change that trend and attract public attention in the Kingdom. We are hosting many major basketball competitions as a first step including the King's Cup," said NBC president Adisak Limprungpatanakij.

"This time, we are promoting varsity-level competition. In the near future we hope to stage more events in different classes."

The opening ceremony will be held on August 15 at 1.30pm at the Siam University Gymnasium. The hosts will take on Rattana Bundit University in the curtain-raiser at 3pm.

Somporn Suphop

The Nation