AS the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) prepares for its elections and general meeting this Sunday, outgoing president, Michael Singh, believes that he could have done more to help the game in the capital, if he had financial support from the corporate community. 

Singh, who was elected on January 26, 2013, is considered by many as a saviour of the game, given the fact he took the sport when it was at an all-time low and brought back stability and provided meaningful incentives.
Paladin Security Firm’s Singh was unanimously voted in after receiving nominations from Pacesetters and Colts basketball clubs of which he is the president.
But, the now Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) vice-president told Chronicle Sport yesterday, “I would not be running for re-election, but will complete term with the GABF as vice-president. Should the incumbent fail to maintain activity for the GABA, I can step in from Federation level to ensure no dormancy.”
The reasons are not fully known for Singh’s not seeking re-election, though it could be proved that under his tenure as president, the association was the most active of the other affiliates of the GABF.
“I think my administration did fairly well to ensure basketball was played every six weeks at all levels. Except for schools basketball, all divisions had an opportunity to play including the masters,” Singh said.
Asked what he would consider a downfall in his time at the helm of the sport, Singh pointed out: “Sponsorship was the major issue. With revenue more could have been achieved – from infrastructure of teams to more benefits for players. With all that said, we proved that basketball could be played competitively if all pull together for the benefit of the game, meaning players and administration”.
The former Colts player further said that he is “anxious to see who the next candidate will be, who is willing to work for the betterment of basketball and its players in its entirety. The GABA needs activity to continue”.

(By Rawle Toney)