– Federation to begin CBC Men’s championship preparation

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds has confirmed that Guyana is set to make a bid to host the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) U-16 Championships in August.The recently elected Hinds also reaffirmed that Guyana will be represented at this year’s CBC Men’s and Women Championship, which is set for the British Virgin Islands from July 1 – 12.
Hinds was speaking to Chronicle Sport, offering an update on the outcome of the January 18 CBC Congress in Puerto Rico.
“As it relates to the U-16 Championship, we have indicated to the CBC at the meeting that Guyana will be bidding to host the event.
Antigua and Barbuda also signalled their intention to host. So looking at it from a business perspective, I think this will benefit all stake-holders of both the private and public sector because we would have about 3 – 400 people here”

Hinds said.
Hinds said that the GABF would be preparing a draft proposal to corporate Guyana and the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport and is optimistic that when presented, the entities will come on board.
The former National Basketball player pointed out “I will use my office personally, along with teaming up with the other executives to get this done.
It will take a collective effort and I believe that this new Executive is very willing to put Guyana’s basketball back to where it was and even better. We all have the understanding that the sport is more than just us playing tournament’s here, but also engaging our regional counterpart.
Hinds also noted that for this to happen, the GABF will soon engage Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG), to regularise the entity which has over the last six years, been the high-point for youth development in the sport.
“I don’t want to give out too much on the YBG issue because we plan on meeting with (Chris) Bowman very soon.
I had related the YBG issue to Mr. (Usie) Richards (CBC President) and he would’ve asked that we the GABF get them regularise as soon as possible because of the stands the CBC and FIBA is going to take on entities running basketball outside of the National Association structure,” Hinds said.
He added “I’m aware of the shortcomings between YBG and the GABF of the past, but for the sake of moving on and developing the game of basketball right now, this new executive is going to ignore all that happened in the break down in some areas and we will working on getting this entity somewhat affiliated to us. I believe they have the perfect structure for youth development, but just need us now to embrace that so this game could grow.”
Meanwhile, with the CBC Men and Women Championship just six months away, Hinds affirmed his federation’s willingness to insure that the best possible team WILL represent the Land of Many Waters.
Asked if the make up of the team would be the same as last year in terms of having only local representation, Hinds said that the GABF will seek to engage its overseas players but are presently working on a formula for selection.
“The thing is, we want to have them, if we have people that want to represent their country, it is only right we formulate a reasonable method to engage their participation. So, the GABF has a lot of work to do and we will be making a couple things public to this regard because we would want full representation from all of corporate Guyana,” Hinds said.

(By Rawle Toney)