Challenges and possibilities for Westports Malaysia Dragons

Westports Malaysia Dragons president and co-founded Datuk Wira Dani Daim and co-founder and deputy president and co-owner Ruben Emir Gnanalingam talk about what drove them to form a professional basketball team given that Malaysians interests seem to be skewed more towards football and single person sports. They give a history on how it all started, together with Datuk Robin Tan and where they want to bring it.

- All three have extremely famous fathers, namely Tun Daim Zainuddin, Tan Sri G Gnanalingam and Tan Sri Vincent Tan. They admit that sometimes having famous fathers means that it is sometimes hard for them to find funding.

- All three are also corporate figures in Malaysia but do no run the basketball teams as just a hobby. They do not personally manage the team, but instead have a professional team of managers to run it. 

- All the funding came from the three individuals but they wouldn't mention how much was invested, just that it was substantial.

- Their ultimate aim is to make the team self sustaining but admits that it will take some time. In the meantime they invest in camps and training to build up the local players. 

 

 

 

President and Co-Founder Datuk Wira Dani Daim and Co-Founder & Deputy President and Co-Owner Ruben Emir Gnanalingam