This year’s Linden Secondary Schools Under-19 basketball championship that is being organized by the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) bounces off next Monday, with one game between defending champions Linden Technical Institute (LTI) and Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary ‘Multi’  from 16:00 hrs or 4pm at the Mackenzie Sports Club court.

The tournament was launched on Wednesday last at the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) building where the rules and fixtures were distributed to the contesting schools LTI, Wisburg, Christianburg Wismar Secondary, New Silvercity Secondary, Mackenzie High and Linden Foundation Secondary.
Double headers are set for the entire week ahead. Next Tuesday, in the first game at 14:30 hrs, New Silvercity Secondary play Wisburg Secondary, then at 16:00 hrs Mackenzie High and Linden Foundation Secondary will clash.
The following day, LTI opposes New Silvercity Secondary in the first game and the second is between Christianburg/Wismar Secondary and Linden Foundation Secondary, while on Thursday Mackenzie High takes on Wisburg and Linden Foundation Secondary plays LTI.
Next Friday Christianburg Wismar Secondary will clash with Wisburg in game one and the second is between New Silvercity Secondary and Mackenzie High.
The rules of the tournament were discussed in-depth by LABA Vice-president Abdullla Hamid who stressed the importance for schools to adhere to the procedures and addressed a number of issues raised by the attending representatives.
Senior Physical Education Officer of the Ministry of Education, Lindley Langhorne was also present and outlined the importance of discipline and what the organisers went through in ensuring that the championship is played this year.
According to Langhorne, the schools must instill discipline in their players to be on time because of the packed schedule; the organizers were pressed for time and as such all should be cognizant of what their expectations are.
He said LABA, after encountering difficulties with acquiring the uniforms from overseas went after local sponsors to make sure the tournament was not cancelled, by having the uniforms available and for this the association must be commended, emphasizing that discipline and respect for time will be the watchword for all.
Meanwhile, two persons from each of the participating schools are expected to attend a statisticians’ clinic from 12:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs at the MSC Pavilion tomorrow, as LABA seeks to train more officials for the championship knowing that several individual prizes are at stake.
In addition, each school has been asked to ensure that those chosen are not players in the tournament and at the same time are reminded to uplift their uniforms this afternoon ahead of Monday’s grand opening ceremony, which is set for 15:00 hrs.