Britain launches new national basketball all-stars championship

The British Basketball All-Stars Championship will take place at east London's O2 Arena on Sunday, September 24, organizers announced here on Tuesday.

Matchroom Sport, led by sports promoter Barry Hearn, in partnership with the British Basketball League, enters the fray in basketball introducing a new, entertaining take on the fast-paced game with a record-breaking 100,000 pound prize fund. Five players per team will take to the court in shorter-timed matches and other exciting innovations.

The tournament will showcase the best of British basketball talent on a grand stage at The O2 in front of the live Sky Sports cameras and will follow another new event launched by Hearn - the British All-Stars Championship netball which will take place at The O2 on Saturday, September 23.

Hearn said: "The popularity of basketball and netball is at an all-time high right now. We want to bring this right to the fore with a massive weekend at The O2. We're bringing fast-paced and exciting formats to generate non-stop action and two unmissable events.

"It's also about encouraging participation. Both sports are continuing to grow at a rapid rate and for that to continue we must encourage people young and old to get out there and try these exciting sports. We want to help with this by bringing both basketball and netball centre-stage for one huge weekend in London."