THE Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) through its president Nigel Hinds has responded to a last minute request by its affiliate, the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) for financial assistance for the staging of the Malta Supreme Christmas Open basketball championship which is heading towards the final four playoffs.Beverage giants Banks DIH, through its Malta Supreme brand, are the major sponsors of the annual tournament, but according to the association there were need for additional funding and they approached the GABF who responded immediately.
Receiving the cash donation was the LABA’s Assistant Secretary Ms. Danica Barker-Chase in the presence of Committee Members Shanna Chester and Ashton Angel (Jr.). Barker-Chase thanked Hinds for the donation and noted the GABF had always been willing to assist the regional body whenever they were asked to do so.
Meanwhile, the GABF boss also took the opportunity to donate two basketballs to the association for use in the championship and made a cash donation of $10,000 to each of the players from Linden who recently played for Guyana against the Antigua and Barbuda All Star team recently.
Those receiving the stipend were Terron Welch, Michael Turner, Dennis Niles, Harold Adams, Keon Cameron and assistant coach Kevin Joseph, which was a promised appreciation for the sacrifice made by the players, according to the federation president.
The championship is nearing the end of the preliminary round play to determine the semi-finalists set for December 28.
The final game in the round between Retrieve Raiders and Half Mile Bulls will see the clash of the unbeaten clubs who are tied on eight points after winning their four games in the six-team champion ship.
Currently the unbeaten clubs in the Malta Supreme Christmas Open basket all-championship are Retrieve Raiders and Half Mile Bulls, who are battling for the top spot with eight points after winning their four games played so far out of five games.
In the third spot is Victory Valley Royals who also have eight points, but have completed their five games, and Amelia’s Ward Jets are on seven points, being the teams to have reached the final four after Block 22 Flames and Bankers Trust Falcons were eliminated.
The game on Wednesday will determine the top two finishers, as in third position are Victory Valley Royals also on eight points after completing their five games and the fourth placed side is Amelia’s Ward Jets.
Meanwhile, the LABA Executive Committee will meet tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club Lounge to discuss the completion of the current championship and that meeting is set for 19.00 hrs.