ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (22nd FIBA Asia U18 Championship): Defending champions China have been drawn alongside fellow East Asian team Hong Kong, West Asia’s Lebanon and South Asia champions India in Group A for the Preliminary Round of the 22nd FIBA Asia U18 Championship to be held here from Aug 17-26.

The draw ceremony was held at the Sports Committee Central Office of the Mongolian Olympic Association on Friday. FIBA Asia Technical Director (Col). Lee Kak Kuan conducted the draw proceedings in the presence of  Mr. Munkhorgil Tsend, President of Mongolian Basketball Association (MBA), Mr. Dashdorj  Baldan MBA Secretary General, Mr. Sugarsuren Tamir, Secretary of LOC and Mr. Buyantogtokh  Jigmed  an associate of the MBA.

Hosts Mongolia have opted to play in Group C, which comprises Chinese Taipei – the bronze medalists of the 21st FIBA Asia Championship held at Sana’A (Yemen) – SEABA’s Indonesia and GCC’s Bahrain, who are making a comeback into the competition after a gap of 30 years.

Korea, who lost to China in the gold medal game at the 21st FIBA Asia Championship at Sana’A (Yemen) two years ago, lead the fray in Group B, which consists of another East Asian contenders Japan along with SEABA’s Singapore and WABA’s Syria.

Group D has twice former (2004, 2008) FIBA Asia U18 champions Iran – who are also the reigning WABA U18 champions – matching wits with 2008 FIBA Asia U18 Championship silver medalists Kazakhstan, reigning SEABA U18 champions Philippines and GCC’s top team Saudi Arabia.

Groupings for the Preliminary Round