I WISH TO respond to an article entitled “Simply Unacceptable!” published in the Stabroek News of Wednesday, May 14, 2014.

While it is not my intention to delve into the entire lengthy article, it is imperative that I make the following observations.

(1): It must be accepted that, over the years until 2014, basketball in Guyana was at its lowest ebb, and no one must ever attempt to doubt or argue that. Nothing was done by the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation for the development of basketball.
Repeated discussions/meetings were held with the then presidents, the late Godwin McPherson and David Patterson, and their officials to encourage the return of Basketball to its glorious days of the past, but somehow, the initiative and drive were not evident.
Something had to be done to arrest the rapid decline of Basketball, especially at the youth and school level.

(2): Youth basketball Guyana must be applauded for successfully taking on that responsibility, which indeed is one of the mandates of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation.

(3): The Inter-Guiana Games are International sporting competitions among students 19 years old and under, who must be attending school or an educational institution. The Games are officially held among French Guiana, Suriname and Guyana.

(4): Correctly, the IGG comprises eight, and not seven, disciplines, as has been mentioned. Chess is an official discipline of the Inter-Guiana Games.

(5): All national associations and federations are always invited to the first meeting of the IGG for, among other things, establishing the IGG Committee for the year (two legs of the game).

(6): The organizing committee of the IGG co-ordinates and manages the process of the IGG, guided by a Protocol of Agreement of General Rules and Regulations for the organisation of the IGG. Unless the Protocol of the IGG is read, studied and understood, the position taken by the GABF would be unavoidable.

(7): Both the late Mc Pherson and immediate past president Mr. David Patterson recognized and accepted that the GABF at the time hadn’t the capacity to organize and prepare the IGG teams. The YGB was brought onboard and was accepted by both gentlemen when they served in office.

(8): Again, it is dishonest and unfair for it to be publically said that GABF is the only national body not invited to participate. Wherever a National Association/Federation is unable to prepare teams, alternative measures are put in place to ensure, in the interest of IGG, Guyana participates in the respective discipline(s). If GABF and Sports Scope had taken the time to do proper investigations, then it would have been revealed that GABF is not the only Association/Federation not preparing teams for the IGG.
(9): In a letter under the pen of Mr. Nigel Hinds, President of GABF, addressed to the Director of Sport, dated May 09, 2014, he states reasons for disapproving and objecting to the involvement of the YBG in the preparation of the IGG Basketball teams.

I must state accordingly:

REASON 2: The NSC is very happy to learn of the GABF’s capacity to organise and manage the IGG.

REASON 12: The YBG, over the long years, has enjoyed overwhelming support and sponsorship from many large corporate entities. 2014 was even more encouraging.

(10): The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation is so discredited that sponsors do not want to support it because it is not accountable and transparent, as its history would confirm.

REASON 14: The National Associations/Federations are aware that they are responsible for the preparation of their IGG teams. Never does the NSC totally provide funding for such preparations. The NSC assists where and when it is necessary.

REASON 16: Funds are never budgeted for individual sports of the IGG. Actually, an IGG budget is prepared for approval under the following heads.

1. Accommodation
2. Transportation
3. Refreshments and meals
4. Field Materials and Supplies
5. Other Administrative Changes

The NSC has never been, and has no intention of being, disrespectful to the National Associations and Federations, including the GABF. Rather, it is the function of the NSC to promote sports and its organization by all available methods.

(11): The NSC is willing to sit and discuss with the GABF and YBG the issue of the future of the IGG Basketball.

I wish at this point to clearly state that GABF cannot dictate for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission.

I wish also to state the following:
1. The MCYS/NSC has not given the GABF any such mandate for the IGG basketball teams.
* We have asked the GABF to provide referees and officials, and give support to an already established process.
* The Games are coordinated and managed by the IGG Committee.
* The NSC decides on the process it uses for each discipline.
2. The National Sports Commission and Youth Basketball Guyana-National School Basketball Festival, now in its ninth year, have, since 2006, been the process used for basketball. This process was accepted by both Mc Pherson and Mr. David Patterson administrations.

* There is no other system in place at the school level that provides such an expansive and extensive platform for our students to participate in basketball.

* The NSBF provides a fair an open process for all eligible student basketball players.

* It is a proven and tested process.

* Case in point: Guyana females are IGG defending champions.

3. The NSC condemns this imposition by the GABF of randomly hand-picking players, who may not be eligible according to the IGG protocol on the grounds of age and/or academic status of students. We further think that this approach is counter-productive to developing a strong foundation for student participation at the schools’ level, and would prove destructive in the long term.

4. If the GABF is serious about our students’ development, it will first develop a system to foster such development at the schools’ level. Until then, the current process will remain in place.

The NSC will continue to work with all National Sports Associations and Federations for the further development in sport. However, we highly appreciate the efforts of Civil Society Organisations and persons who are making genuine efforts to help in the process of development.

The NSC looks forward to continue working with all and sundry for peace, unity and the realization of our athletes’ full potential.

Neil Kumar
Director of Sport