GUYANA, led by teenage sensation, Stanton Rose, won the elusive Caribbean Senior Men’s Championship, and the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) Ameri Cup pre qualifiers competition, which was played in Suriname at the Anthony Nesty Sports Hall in June 2018.

And to honour the achievement of that team, there are plans in this COVID-19 year by former president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), Nigel Hinds, who was at the helm when this was attained, to acknowledge the players of that Junior Hercules-coached all-conquering Guyana side.
Hinds, through his Financial Services, is preparing to host a celebratory event in appreciation and recognition of the Caribbean’s Senior Men’s Basketball Champions on Sunday, November 15, 2020, at 16.00hrs.

The recipients of prizes include players and coaches of the 2018 team, inclusive of the overseas-based players who will participate via zoom video. There is to be other recognition of former national players, basketball administrators, cheerleaders and supporting staff, according to a release from Nigel Hinds.

While the venue has not been named, it is anticipated that the governing Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), now under the stewardship of Mike Singh, who served as the second in command when Hinds was at the leadership position, along with his current executive, will be there to give support.
That winning male team comprised Stanton Rose (Captain), Harold Adams, Shaine Webster, Denzil Devonish, Kevon Wiggins, Timothy Thompson, Orland Glasgow, Anthony Moe, Ray Victor, Travis Belgrave and Travis Burnet. Rose was at the end of the tournament.

The teams which contested that CBC Senior men’s championship were Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and host, Suriname.
Rose’s most impressive game was against St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in the group stage as he cannoned a tournament high 41 points, while he knocked in 23 in the final against Antigua and Barbuda.

Being the stand-out player of that CBC championship, Rose was granted a scholarship to Jacksonville College in Texas, United States.
Guyana previously reached the Senior Men’s tournament final when it was staged in Guyana in 1994, but were beaten in the final against Barbados.

However, the other time a Guyana team reached any final was in 1996, when the Karen Abrams-led Linden Alphonso-coached women’s team carted off Guyana’s first ever senior tournament as they defeated Jamaica in the Women’s final in Trinidad and Tobago.

Unlike then when much recognition was not given the victorious women’s team, Hinds is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the team which did Guyana proud two years ago, is comforted somewhat hence this gesture.
The organisers say that there is to be strict adherence to the required COVID-19 guidelines for this special event. (Joe Chapman)