By Daniel Haynes

THE spotlight was thrust back onto basketball in Guyana with the hosting of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation U-16 Championships. The Guyana male and female teams were the focal point of many discussions, whether local or international.The male team in the tournament defied expectations and finished second overall and qualified for the 2017 Centro Basket Championship. The females, however, were unable to win any game and finished seventh in their version of the tournament.
The weaknesses of the Guyana teams were highlighted and provided a clear picture that as a country, we are lacking in exposure as well as commitment to the game. The most blatant of these weaknesses included shooting and game time experience.
Weighing in on this issue was Guyana male coach Willon Cameron who stated, “Our teams only see about 10 games a year and when you take into account how many games these other nations play we are far behind.”
Cameron also compared the U-16 team to the U-19 Inter-Guiana Games teams he had coached and the experience definitely played a role in their readiness.
“Although the U-19 teams were a bit more seasoned at playing, they still suffered with the same fundamental deficiencies we see here,” Cameron added.
Throughout both tournaments, the Guyanese had benefited from the experience of U.S.-based coach Kenny Avent. Avent had stated, “In order for Guyana’s basketball to develop we need (to spend) more hours practising, more reps and definitely more tournament exposure.
That definitely raises our level.”
With Guyana’s hosting of the CBC U-16 Championships which ended on July 16, the eyes of locals are on the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation to improve international exposure for the players.
Meanwhile, Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation president Nigel Hinds, commented on the increased exposure.
“The government of Guyana will take over the male team and they are scheduled to play around the country looking to CentroBasket.”
Head of Department of Physical Education, at the Ministry of Education, Nicholas Fraser, said that basketball is also expected to grow in Guyanese school systems.
“These tournaments afforded the opportunity for Guyanese students and youths to see basketball played at an entirely new level and for teachers to see what occurs.”
Fraser was also of the opinion that having specialised teachers to teach basketball to the students was something that would definitely benefit the country.
“Our system lacks persons who know the discipline inside out, and having specialised persons doesn’t just benefit one discipline but everyone.”