-Tournament opens tomorrow

EIGHT (8) basketball teams from the City along with one each from Linden and Berbice will contest this year’s Philip George Memorial Basketball tournament which bounces off tomorrow at the Burnham Basketball Court.The tournament which is hosted by the Colts Basketball Club is being held for the third consecutive year in commemoration of one of Guyana’s most celebrated Coaches Philip ‘One Foot’ George.

At a simple launch which took place at the Palm Court Restaurant, president of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) Michael Singh who is also the president of Colts, pointed out the important and significance of the tournament given the fact that it honours a legend in the sport.

According Singh, the idea is to keep the tournament running as long as possible since George whom many call ‘Coach Man’ or ‘One Foot’, has dedicated almost of his entire life to the sport and helped in a significant way in the development of the game locally.

President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds spoke of George’s profound passion for the game unlike no other and lauded Colts (the team he coached) for hosting the tournament to preserve his legacy.

Hinds lamented that with Guyana set to participate in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship next year in the British Virgin Islands, every tournament is seen as a ‘talent spot’.

Two-time defending champions Ravens will open their quest to three-peat against the Nets in the last of four games tomorrow, with Pacesetters and Rockers starting the action with their clash at 16:30hrs, followed by Linden’s Victory Valley Royals colliding with Knicks and Colts facing Patriots.

The competing teams have been placed in two groups and they are: Group A- Pacesetters, Ravens, Nets, GT Masters and Smithfield Rockers and Group B- Colts, Sonics, Patriots, Knights and Victory Valley Royals.