THE Fourth Edition of the Road to Mecca Basketball championship, organised by the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), will bounce off today with three matches at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The tournament is being sponsored by Banks DIH Limited under the Coca-Cola Brand.
The sponsorship cheque and trophies were presented during a simple ceremony at Thirst Park yesterday where president of GABF, Nigel Hinds, received the cheque from Shenisa Fredericks, Brand Trainee of Banks DIH Limited.
Hinds thanked Banks DIH Limited and Coca-Cola for partnering with the GABF for the yearend tournament which will climax on December 24 (Christmas Eve) with the grand final.

Banks DIH Limited Communications Manager Troy Peters said his company was delighted to be working closely with GABF to promote the development of basketball in Guyana. The participation clubs will be representing Upper Demerara, Berbice, East Coast Demerara, East Banks Demerara and Georgetown.
Ten of Guyana’s top basketball clubs – Bounty Colts, Dyna’s Raven, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Half Mile Bulls, Rose Hall Jammers, Victory Valley Royals, Retrieve Raiders, Pacesetters, Plaisance Guardians and Kobras will be vying for top honours.

Dyna’s Ravens will square off with Rose Hall Jammers in the opening encounter starting at 17:00hrs to be followed by Bounty Colts against Half Mile Bulls. The final game will bring together Victory Valley Royals versus Plaisance Guardians.
Prior to the tip-off, at 15:00hrs there will be the official march past of the 10 competing teams as well as entertainment provided by singer Tiffani Bonner and cheerleaders who will be cheering the teams on, Hinds said.

The tournament coordinators are Junior Hercules and Shevon Henry who were also present at the handing-over ceremony.
The preliminary matches will be played on December 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13 and 22. The semi-finals will be played off on December 23 and the final on December 24 with all matches at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.