THE Guyana Basketball Amateur Federation (GABF) yesterday issued a release, suspending and fining 12 members of its Men’s national team and a lone female player after a questionable executive meeting which was held on Thursday, July 26 at Cara Lodge. 

According to the GABF release, “after the Financial Report was presented on the funding and expenditures related to the 2014 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships held in Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI); the other significant item considered on the agenda was the off-court misconduct of senior basketball players during CBC Championships.”
Among the executives who deliberated on the appropriate sanctions to be taken against the players were president Nigel Hinds, vice-presidents Michael Singh, Kenrick Thomas and Haslyn Graham.
The release states that reports were also received from the men’s team manager Junior Hercules and head coach Mark Agard.
However, the legality of Singh’s portfolio as vice-president is highly questionable, given the fact that on Tuesday July 8, Singh had tendered his resignation from all aspects of basketball. Singh was also the president of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA).
Moreover, the players did not face a disciplinary committee as stated in the GABF constitution.
Nonetheless, the GABF said that the fines were unanimously agreed upon and the cause for disciplinary action was due to the refusal of the players to return team uniforms and warm-up suits when requested. The suspensions and fines are in effect from July 28, 2014 and will be in effect until the fines are fully paid; uniforms are returned in good condition to the GABF and/or the suspension period expires.
Despite having returned all uniforms and warm-up kit, Shelroy Thomas, Akeem Kanhai and Ray Victor were each fined $20 000 and will not be allowed to participate in any tournament, clinic, or tour held or approved by the GABF or its members until the fines are fully paid.
Ravens point guard Ryan Stephney, who returned all the GABF gear except the white uniforms, was fined $30 000.
The GABF release reveals that Stephney will not be allowed to participate in any tournament, clinic, or tour held or approved by the GABF or its members until the fine is fully paid and the uniforms returned to the GABF in good condition or the GABF is compensated for the uniforms. Failure to return the uniform by February 1, 2015 will result in an additional fine of $25 000 being reimbursement for the uniforms.
Amelia’s Ward Jets’ Shane Webster, Ravens’ Ryan Gullen and overseas-based players Andre De Florimonte, Keron McKenzie and Gordon Klaiber were listed as players who refused to return any of the uniforms and were fined $40 000 each.
“These players will not be allowed to participate in any tournament, clinic, or tour held or approved by the GABF or its members until the fine is fully paid and the uniforms are returned to the GABF in good condition or the GABF is compensated for the uniforms. Failure to return the uniforms by February 1, 2015 results in an additional fine of $70 000 being reimbursement for the uniforms,” said the GABF.
Meanwhile, the GABF said that former Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers shooting guard Rawle Marshall who was also the team captain; along with Andrew Ifill and Dwayne Roberts played leading roles in usurping the authority of management and refused to return any uniforms.
“These players were each suspended for one year and each fined $80 000. They will not be allowed to participate in any tournament, clinic, or tour held or approved by the GABF or its members until the fine is fully paid and the uniforms are returned to the GABF in good condition or the GABF is compensated for the uniforms. Failure to return the uniforms by February 1, 2015 results in an additional fine of $70 000 being reimbursement for the uniforms,” the GABF said.
Female National player Necosia Mitchell also found herself in some hot water for making false statements to coach Ann Gordon, who the GABF feels impacted the composition of the women’s national team.
A source close to the situation said that Mitchell was knowingly pregnant but failed to make such findings known to the GABF and as such, a six-month ban was instituted, effective from July 28.
Written By Rawle Toney