WITH just 28 days away from the start of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship in Tortola, the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) is a far cry from where they are supposed to be as it relates to gathering the finance needed to ensure Guyana’s participation at the event. 

The total budget, according to the GABF, for a male team and a female team to attend the Championship in the British province is US$60 000.
However, the federation’s immediate responsibility is making sure US$25 000 is paid to LIAT by June 11; something president Nigel Hinds is hoping a Government intervention can alleviate as time draws near.
At present, Hinds declared that they have been able to raise US$5 000 from members of private and public sector.
“We have a contingent of 40 persons heading to the BVI and LIAT is taking us directly to the CBC. We have a time frame for which the money has to be paid so we’re hoping our discussion with Government can bring the situation to rest,” Hinds said when contacted yesterday via telephone.
In a recent interview with Chronicle Sport, Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony pointed out Government support for the CBC-bound Guyana team seems doubtful at present.
“I don’t want to say no or yes but it’s kind of difficult at this point because we work on a budget and with all that’s going on in Parliament, we have to account for everything,” stated Anthony, also noting that his Ministry is always open to helping teams participating at tournaments where they could play or compete at the highest level. He also urged the respective associations and federations to make their request in a timely manner.
“Sometimes it’s not easy giving out the funds because we run a budget. We also ask these associations to contact us early and while we understand that some things, like in the case of GABF, are beyond their control, oftentimes there’s little we can do to help because of the position we’re in.
“We’re hoping we can find some way to help them but at this point we’re not going to commit to anything,” Anthony noted.
The GABF has been proactive in its approach to help raise funds for the CBC team, setting up on its website (www.guyanabasketball.com), an online donation drive, targeting mostly its overseas affiliates.
“We’ve been in talks with the Government a while now and we’re just being patient and optimistic for their support. A number of companies have replied to us, stating their willingness to help but nothing substantial or concrete as yet,” the recently elected Hinds said.
Though time is running out, Hinds remains very optimistic that Guyana will certainly be represented at the prestigious event where the men are looking to finish higher than second place (1994) and the women are aiming to replicate their 1996 winning performance.

(By Rawle Toney)