S'pore basketball match-fixing: Players seen leaving CPIB building, league games to continue

Following the launch of investigations into alleged match-fixing in a national basketball league in Singapore, players were seen leaving the Corruption Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) building on Aug. 20.

Among those were a national player.

Of the nine individuals arrested by the CPIB for allegedly fixing basketball matches, one of them is reportedly a coach who was previously accused in July 2024 of accepting bribes to get students into secondary schools via the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme.

The Basketball Association of Singapore (BAS) also announced that league matches will continue.

A total of nine people aged 19 to 35 were arrested.

Coach turned player

According to Chinese media Shin Min Daily News, community insiders shared that the coach in question, surname Lin (transliteration), went on to participate as a player in local basketball league matches following the bribery scandal.

It was reported in 2024 that Lin would charge parents between S$30,000 to S$50,000 for securing a spot in top schools for their children.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) deregistered Lin, which meant he could no longer coach at schools.

Players seen leaving CPIB building

When Shin Min visited the CPIB premises at around 9pm on Aug. 20, multiple basketball players were seen leaving the premises.

At least four were recognised as local basketball players and one was a national player.

While some did not wish to speak to the media, others denied involvement.

Zeng (transliteration), a coach for Adroit, which is one of the semi-professional teams in Singapore, said players were only there to assist in investigations and were not under arrest by CPIB.

He also said any player found to have been involved will be expelled from the team and referred to the relevant authorities for investigation.

Tagawa team coach, Hong (transliteration), confirmed with Shin Min that one of its players was asked by CPIB to assist in investigations.

Tong Whye team's general manager, Tan (transliteration), shared that the club has held a general meeting to discuss the matter.

"We expect all players to refrain from illegal activities. We urge all players who are suspected of being involved to fully cooperate with the authorities. Tong Why Basketball Club will also fully cooperate with investigations and provide assistance where needed," the club posted in a notice on Facebook on the morning of Aug. 20.

The notice also urged the public to avoid speculation and allow the authorities to carry out investigations.

According to CPIB, one of the alleged fixed matches was a game between Tagawa and Tong Whye, which took place on Aug. 1.

Tagawa won 66 to 43.

League goes on

There are 10 teams in the 2025 K. Star National Basketball League Division 1, which is the league under scrutiny.

It is organised by the BAS.

In a notice posted to BAS' Facebook, the association announced that the league will continue as there is currently "no concrete evidence" that the league is compromised.

The decision was also undertaken in "fairness to the players and teams who have trained hard for this competition".

"As stewards of the sport, BAS maintains a zero-tolerance stance against match-fixing and all forms of misconduct that compromise the integrity of the game," BAS wrote.

Speaking to Shin Min, the BAS president shared that the association is aware of the investigations and will fully cooperate with CPIB.

League matches scheduled for Aug. 20 went ahead as planned.

However, some channels slated to broadcast the league's matches had removed their broadcast notices, Shin Min wrote.

Top image via Shin Min Daily News