THE Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Head Office on High Street where Certified Public Accountant Nigel Hinds was elected President and an entirely new executive was installed.Hinds, a Managing Partner at Nigel Hinds Financial Services, capped a landslide win over his challenger Michael Singh, by amassing ten of the 12 votes up for grabs.
Singh, also the President of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) was later voted in as a vice-president along with his Linden Association equal Haslyn Graham and Kenrick Thomas of KP Thomas Constructions.
Dr. Richard Blair will serve in the position of General Secretary, Leona Kyte is the new GABF Assistant Secretary and Clement De Nobriga is Treasurer.
Former national player and referee Cecil Chin was voted in unopposed for the position of the GABF’s Technical Director.
Former President David Patterson did not seek re-election but congratulated Hinds on winning the post and encouraged him to work hard in aiding the development of the sport in Guyana.
Meanwhile, Hinds thanked the persons who entrusted him with their votes and hope that he can work with all stake holders for the benefit of the game.
Prior to seeking election, Hinds said that his experience and “knowledge of what’s affecting the game, coupled with my professional expertise, can take the sport of basketball to the next level”.
The former national Hockey player spent a considerable amount of time living overseas but upon returning to Guyana permanently, he noted that he was in “awe” as it relates to the state of the sport of basketball in Guyana.
“We’re way behind the rest of the countries in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC). I know David (Patterson) tried his best but he encountered several challenges beyond his control. However, that’s still not an excuse for the state of the game. I believe collectively we can turn things around,” Hinds pointed out.
The Certified Public Accountant, Hinds, further noted “I plan to engage all stakeholders especially the Ministry of Sport and National Sports Commission (NSC) and what they have to do with the use of the Sports Hall.
“That Sports Hall was built for basketball but now basketball is least played there and pays the highest rental fees. I also intend to look how we can make Youth basketball Guyana (YBG) apart of the GABF and have them regulated in accordance to FIBA.” (Rawle Toney).
