THE National Schools’ Basketball Federation (NSBF) officially launched the seventh Regional Conference Basketball Championships yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). Attending the launching were representatives of the sponsor Banks DIH, Digicel, Edward B. Beharry and Company Ltd; the tournament’s coordinators; the Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony and Director of Sport Neil Kumar.
The tournament will run from April 17 to May 26 with games in Georgetown, Berbice, Linden, East Coast of Demerara and East Bank of Demerara.
According to the organising group, the aim of the tournament is to develop and maintain a well coordinated national school basketball championships for boys and girls; to improve on the existing basketball infrastructure in schools and communities across Guyana; to encourage physical and mental wellness through youth sport and to emphasise leadership, citizenship, scholarship and athletic excellence in young people.
The tournament is a double-round event with the five regions playing in four Championship Divisions. A High School All Star Game, three-point shootout, free throw and dunk contest are all in the programme.
Guest speaker, Dr Anthony said that it is always a pleasure to come to this tournament, organised by Chris Bowman because every time he comes there is a new dimension added to the event.
Bowman was given a personal award for his organising of the tournament by Dr Anthony who recognised the efforts he put into his work.
He commended Bowman for extending the tournament to the regional level which in turn will get more schools to participate. Bowman wanted to go to a National Level but it would have been a task too great.
Kumar also praised Bowman and his committee on the consistency of their work and urged the sponsors to continue supporting the development.
Jennifer Khan, Coca Cola Brand Manager, stated that Banks DIH has been committed to supporting sports and is even more pleased to support when it is developmental.
She said that it has been a pleasure working with NSBF and the company will continue to support the tournament. This is Banks DIH’s seventh year of partnering with Youth Basketball Guyana for the event.
Gavin Hope, Events and Sponsorship Manager of Digicel, said the entity has been involved in the tournament for four years and urged the youths to keep striving for success. He also urged them to invite their parents or guardian to the game to come see them in action.
It was noticeable that parents have not been present at majority of the tournaments.
Some 53 teams have been recorded to compete in the tournament which will have the Berbice Conference start on April 19, Georgetown Conference on April 20, East Coast on April 22, East Bank Conference on April 27 and Linden Big 10 Conference yet to be decided.