WUHAN (2015 FIBA Asia Women’s Championship) – DPR Korea played their first international game in more than a decade, but marked their return to FIBA Asia events in style.
DPR Korea who last played in a FIBA Asia Women’s Championship in the 2005 edition at Qingdao defeated Sri Lanka 82-35 to tip off their campaign in Level II competition.
Coach Kim Yong Sik praised the team for its dedication (for the result) and discipline (for the margin).
“First of all, we are very glad to be here,” beamed the 49-year-old after the win.
“But fortunately, the hard work the team has put showed early on (when DPR Korea opened an almost double-digit lead in the first five minutes) and we managed to hold on to the lead.
“I am also happy at the discipline we showed in our game.
“We have come with an open mind. We have no fixed targets. Learning and gaining experience is the main purpose of our visit here.
Kim Young Sik also rued three other players who had to stay back due to injury.
“We selected 14-15 players in the month of June from our National Championship. We have run seven sessions a week, every week since. We did lose a few players to injury, but I don’t think we should worry about that,” he said.
“We are here and back. That is important for now. We have begun with a win. We need to make this count for our experience. This is more important this coming week,” he said.
