Basketball

Budweiser League basketball arrived in Edinburgh yesterday, with high hopes of success. From Septemeber a yet-to-named side will take part in the league, playing their games at a new, refurbished Meadowbank Stadium, and already optimism is high about what can be achieved.

An Edinburgh company called ''Oddballs in Sport'' is behind the move, formed by businessmen to bring sports to Scotland, and is backing the club with almost #1m over four years.

Former NBA player Jim Brandon, who coached Sheffield Sharks to the league and cup double in 1994/95, already has signed for the new club and admitted it was a challenge. ''I remember when Scottish teams dominated British basketball, and I feel very honoured to be involved in this project.''

The side will be named next month as part of a competition by the consortium designed to keep interest in the project, with fans able to enjoy Scotland-England clashes almost every week on Sunday afternoons with cheerleaders, music and after match parties.