Geylang bounces Seah off BAS board

SINGAPORE — Unhappy over promises that were not kept, the Geylang Basketball Club (GBC) moved yesterday to terminate the membership of Seah Liang Bing, effectively forcing Seah’s removal as secretary of the Basketball Association of Singapore (BAS).

In a letter informing the BAS of its decision to terminate Seah’s membership, Geylang also said it is delisting as an affiliate of the national basketball body, of which it has been a member since 1999.

Seah, a businessman, was elected as BAS secretary last June at the association’s Annual General Meeting, with backing from GBC.

Rule 7 of the BAS constitution states that only an authorised representative of an ordinary member (affiliate) may be nominated for election to its Management Committee.

Said GBC president Alex Lim Soo Chye: “Since Seah’s membership with Geylang Basketball Club has been terminated, he is no longer the authorised representative of the club. And therefore we expect the BAS to take the necessary steps to see to the removal of Seah as the association’s secretary.”

Lim told TODAY Seah promised many things to the GBC, including helping to form a team to play in the Pro-Am Singapore Basketball League, with promise of financial support from the BAS. “But he never delivered on his promises and we are disappointed,” said Lim.

“In fact, there are so many other reasons why we think he is not suitable to be the secretary of the BAS.

“Because of his ineffectiveness, we think it’s best that we stop being an affiliate of the BAS. We have close to 200 members and we will chart our own path.

“For us, life will continue and Geylang Basketball Club will continue to play an active role in promoting basketball for our members.”

BAS general manager Lim Chee Kiong acknowledged receiving Geylang’s letter yesterday evening. Asked if Seah’s tenure would come to an end given the circumstances, he pointed to a similar situation last year when another member of the management committee had to step down after his club terminated his membership.

“Anyway, the president and the management committee will decide on the next course of action. It’s unfortunate that this has to happen,” added Chee Kiong.