… GABF happy, but still in need

THE GOVERNMENT of Guyana yesterday, through the Office of the President (OP), contributed $2M towards the Guyana National Basketball teams (men and women), who are set to participate at the July 1-12 Caribbean Basketball Championship in Tortola. 

President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds since taking office a few months ago was not only advocating for Guyana’s return to the championship, but made it clear that they will need a strong intervention from the Government of Guyana to make it possible.
Government support came just one day after Hinds had announced the GABF are desperately in need of US$25 000 which is to be paid to LIAT by June 11, for their 40-member contingent.
“It is indeed a timely donation by the Government of Guyana and the GABF hereby expresses its gratitude and appreciation for the commitment shown by the government to sports in Guyana.
“We do hope that the endorsement by the Government of Guyana to support basketball development in Guyana will encourage Guyana’s corporate community to respond positively to the ongoing fundraising effort of the GABF as the Federation prepares the Guyana Teams for the 2014 Caribbean Basketball Championships,” Hinds said
Hinds added, “The GABF is very thankful for the financial support from the Guyana Government and we intend to honour the Government’s confidence shown in the GABF by working diligently to firstly ensure that Guyana’s Men and Women Teams are well represented at the CBC 2014 Championship and secondly to continue in our efforts to promote and develop basketball across Guyana.”
On Tuesday, the GABF released the names of 35 males and 24 females who will begin training on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Former National point guard Mark Agard was named head coach of the men’s team with Ravens’ Darcel Harris as his assistant while Ann Gordon was put in charge of the women’s side.
“The Guyana Men’s team, based on the accomplishments and talent of the overseas-based Guyanese who will be joining with our local players is seen as a major contender to win the CBC 2014 Championships. The first Guyanese-born NBA player Rawle Marshall has committed to being in Guyana before June 21. Rawle currently plays professional basketball in Europe,” Hinds said.

(By Rawle Toney)