The sixth Asian Women's Basketball Championships are being held in Hong Kong.

SYNOPSIS: Hong Kong's Governor, Sir Murray Maclehose, attended the opening of the championships and watched the colourful parade of competing teams before the first match. China sent a strong team and they're favourites to take out the title.

Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Singapore are also taking part. One of the top teams in the competition, Iran, withdrew at the last minute.

The Hong Kong Basketball Association was advised of Iran's withdrawal by cable. But no reasons were given for the sudden and unexpected scratching of the team.

With the formalities over the opening game was played between the local team and the Philippines. The Philippines playing left to right. The home side appeared nervous of the large crowd that had turned out to watch and within minutes their opponents has scored their first goal. The Philippines went on to win by 64 to 57.

In the second match the much stronger Chinese team played Singapore. Singapore, in dark shirts, playing right to left. An initial attack and fast footwork by the Singaporeans seemed to surprise the favourites particularly when Singapore scored very early on. But the bigger and faster Chinese girls soon settled down and had the game under control. They went from strength to strength and had an easy win - 97 to 37.