KEAN Andrews, the national basketball player who did not return to Guyana with the female team, said that she only stayed in Tortola to support the male team who are competing at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation Championship (CBC).
The centre was a part of the female team that failed to win a game at the Championships which ran from June 8 to 12 in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) but when she failed to return to Guyana the following day, speculations were raised.
President of the Guyana Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds told Chronicle Sport that he was ignorant of the player remaining in the BVI, though he speculated that she might have done so to support the men’s team.
However, Andrews via Facebook had contacted the Guyana Chronicle to have her views heard after it was reported in another section of the media that she did not return with the squad.
“I really don’t know the reason for Mr Nigel Hinds blowing this thing out of proportion like this. Yes, I did decide to stay in the BVI, simply to watch and support our male team. I paid and extended my visa and bought a return ticket to Guyana with the permission of the BVI Immigration authorities,” Andrews said.
A contacted Hinds told this newspaper that the player had broken the team’s protocol which simply states that they all must return together.
“They were supposed to return as a team; we never gave permission to stay on. She never showed up when it was time to leave,” said the GABF boss.
The female national player made it clear that she has no intention of staying past the male tournament which finishes on Sunday (June 21).
“I have no intentions on living here or staying past the male games; I have obligations in Guyana. If I had known they would have blown it out of proportion I would have kept my money and come home. If it wasn’t for supporting the games and just for that immigration would not have granted me permission, I could even give the number of the immigration officer to confirm.”
Hinds made it clear that he has no issues with anyone wanting to stay and supporting the men’s team but once requirements are met with the team and immigration, since the GABF would not be responsible for any mishaps.
The GABF president said that once Andrews returns, “We’ll have some kind of sanction but after reasoning to understand what it is exactly. She just didn’t show up. Manager Kirk Fraser said she did not give in her uniform, the whole thing was just disrespectful.”