IN what many have described as simply successful, the National Sports Commission (NSC) held a Stakeholders’ Meeting on Monday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to determine the future of basketball in Guyana.

Among those present were representatives of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association, the Linden Amateur Basketball Association, the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association and the Guyana Women’s Basketball Association.

After observing a moment’s silence in remembrance of Mr Godwin McPherson, the former president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association who past away recently, the gathering delved into some very important issues which included proposed rehabilitation works in Georgetown, Linden and Berbice, preparation of the Inter Guiana Games basketball teams, the need for more female participation in the sport and the cost of rental of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, has indicated his satisfaction with the meeting. “The meeting is a good example of what can happen when people with convergent desires sit and have constructive dialogue,” he said.

While expressing these sentiments, the Director of Sport was also livid about what he perceived to be attempts of sabotage by some members of the media leading up to the meeting.

“Some members of the media attempted to make the NSC look bad, as if we were trying to jump the heads of GABF by calling this meeting. They wanted to create a climate of belligerence between the GABF and the NSC. Thankfully this is not going to happen,” Kumar added.

He further stated that an improved relationship with the GABF would be of great benefit to the NSC. In this regard, Kumar said, “We are always seeking to improve our programmes.

With this new partnership, we should be able to improve our schools basketball programme as well as achieve our vision of having increased female participation and bolstering our grip on the IGG Basketball Championship.”