THE LINDEN Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) yesterday bounced off its Malta Supreme Magnificent Seven basketball championships in Linden as Banks DIH backed the tournament as the major sponsor for the year-ending Christmas championships.

Last Friday afternoon, Banks DIH Outdoor Events Manager, Mortimer Stewart, handed over the various trophies, replicas along with cash incentives for the championships, which will cater for the first-, second-, third- and fourth-place finishers. In last night’s opening match, Wismar Pistons returned to competitive basketball against Amelia’s Ward Jets in the lone game.
Meanwhile, Stewart, on behalf of Banks DIH, said they were “delighted to be a major sponsor of this tournament which was organised by the LABA, who solicited its sponsorship after outlining their plans for developing the sport.
Said Stewart: “We feel honoured to give this sponsorship. There is need as a corporate citizen to give back to the sport and the community of Linden which has really supported us throughout the years.”
He added that the timing of the championships was crucial to their decision to come on board as it was recognised that not much was there for Lindeners during the Christmas holidays and when LABA offered for them to support the promotion and development of basketball through competition it was not hard for them to accept such social responsibility.
He promised that Banks would also give support where it is felt that young people will benefit and through sports, young people can have meaningful recreation and the fans should enjoy a good championships.
Secretary of LABA, Joseph Chapman, thanked Banks DIH and its branding of the tournament through Malta Supreme, as they have been seeking assistance from Corporate Guyana, and Banks has proved its commitment to having excellent tournaments for which the LABA will be taking steps to ensure the necessary discipline is upheld during these events.
The tournament will run through the month of December with playing days being Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 19:00hrs with the first game and 21:00hrs the second of what will be double-headers in the tournament which has seven clubs contesting for honours.