An officiating crew featuring FIBA international referees from Hong Kong and Macao alongside Guangdong referees will return to officiate the second-leg semifinals of the 2026 Guangdong Provincial City Basketball League (Yue BA) on July 8 in Shenzhen and Dongguan, highlighting the growing basketball exchanges across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The first-leg semifinals tipped off on July 4 at two venues—Tianhe Sports Center in Guangzhou and Zhongshan Sports Center—with the four remaining teams delivering high-level amateur basketball action before live audiences and viewers across the province.
The highlight of the night was the officiating crew, as Hong Kong FIBA international referee Samon Yeung and Macao FIBA international referee Huang Junxian teamed up with Guangdong-based referees to form the professional officiating panels for both games.
Yeung is a FIBA-certified official accredited by the Hong Kong Basketball Association, while Huang has extensive experience in Macao and international FIBA events. Their participation strictly followed the "Technical Officials Selection and Management Measures of Guangdong Provincial City Basketball League" released in March 2026, ensuring high standards and impartiality in the playoffs.
This collaboration marks a further step in the longstanding basketball exchanges among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. Annual events such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup (eight editions, Guangdong winning seven) and the Guangdong-Macao Cup (ten editions, Guangdong claiming ten consecutive titles as of early 2026) have become flagship mass basketball competitions. Since 2023, several basketball leagues for children and teenagers across the GBA have expanded exchanges to cover all age groups.
Building on the successful co-hosting of the 15th National Games by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the Yue BA plans to invite Hong Kong and Macao teams to participate in future editions, aiming to become the first mass basketball event covering the entire GBA. The international officiating crew's continued participation in the second-leg semifinals reflects the league's commitment to professional standards while further strengthening sports exchanges across the Greater Bay Area.
Author | Jiang Chang
Photo | Nanfang Plus
