… Team departs tomorrow for Bahamas championships
GUYANA’S National coach Robert ‘Bobby’ Cadogan and captain Steve Neils Jr expressed confidence yesterday as the national squad prepares to leave to take part in this year’s Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships which bounces off on Sunday in Nassau Bahamas. The duo, along with Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) president David Patterson, vice-president Floyd Levi and a few members of team Guyana, addressed the media yesterday at the Water Chris Hotel where they spoke about what is expected of the team.
Guyana will play their first match on  Sunday, July 24, against Turks and Caicos, followed by back-to-back games against Jamaica, Antigua and Bermuda and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Given the players that we had available and based on the practice that the team went through and what we had as set out as  goals and objectives, we have selected the best possible team to represent Guyana,” said Cadogan whose words were echoed by Neils.
The point guard, who is making his second trip to the championship (he participated in 2000 in  Barbados) said, “We have a confident bunch of players and coaches who have all worked hard so that we could reap success in the  Bahamas.”
Since the success of Guyana’s basketball of yesteryear, no full local team has ever left  these shores and as such, the path taken by the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) to send a contingent of local players has been lauded by the head coach.
“I think it’s time that we measure where we stand as it relates to our brothers in the Caribbean, so we can properly assess what we have to do and how far we are.
“These guys have been playing over the years and have not gotten a chance to showcase their talents outside of Guyana and so, I’m glad that they can have that opportunity,” said Cadogan.
Speaking on his team’s preparation, Cadogan said: “For the short period of time the guys have committed themselves to being at practice and I do appreciate the effort they made given the circumstances where people didn’t get time off from work, and they came to practice.
“We even had players who had to change their shift to accommodate being at practice to make the team,” the coach said.
The commitment  shown  by the National coach and team was  also cheered on  by Patterson and Levi who noted that the players’ response gave the GABF encouragement to make all ends meet so that they can make it to the Bahamas.
“This entry thing, in terms of getting the team to the CBC and preparing them, has cost us over G$4M, but I think it’s money well spent because the guys have really impressed us with their commitment and discipline. We had to make this happen for them and for the development of basketball in Guyana,” said Patterson.
Levi was thankful for the persons who came on board to sponsor the team, with the former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Commander stating: “We would personally like to thank those who supported us from day one.
“We have SPADS Inc., Brain Streets, Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI), Guyana Water Inc, Guyana Olympic  Association (GOA), Bank of Guyana, Goodwood Racing Service , National Sports Commission (NSC), Wind Jammer Hotel and most importantly, Western Union because they are sponsoring the uniforms for the players.”
The team will have a shoot around this evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall then would depart tomorrow morning, bound for the CBC Championships via Caribbean Airlines but will have to stopover in Jamaica.
“The GABF wants to make it known that we are grateful for the support  of the Jamaican Basketball Federation is giving to us, because they are helping us as it relates to our stopover there on Thursday and while we are coming back,” said Patterson.
The team: Steve Neils Jr (captain), Dwayne Roberts (vice-captain), Akeem Kanhai, Neil Marks, Shane Webster, Rodwell Fortune, Keron McKenzie, Stephan Gillis, Royston Siland, Ryan Stephney, Kurt Elias and Ryan Gullen.
Coach: Robert ‘Bobby’ Cadogan, Assistant Coach: Lugard Mohan, Manager: Raymond Padmore, Referee: Aubrey Young