IT’S been just two months since the Nigel Hinds-led Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) was installed but if someone should compare the state which basketball was in against what it is now, it would seem like the present administration has been around much longer. In less than a month the GABF launched the ‘Road to Mecca’ knock-out championships that featured 16 of Guyana’s top clubs, drawn from Linden, Berbice and Georgetown.
“That Sports Hall was built for basketball but now basketball is least played there.” Hinds said in an interview with Chronicle Sport after winning the elections which was held at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) on January 11.
It’s been years since the sport has enjoyed any sort of crowd support, especially in the city but GABF’s approach to heavily market the game, coupled with the thrilling climaxes and high level of play by the teams, has literally drawn the lovers of the sport back to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The tournament which started on March 1 will see the Retrieve Raiders from Linden and Ravens from Georgetown clash in Sunday’s final.
Filled seats and a packed parking lot on game nights tell a story of a sport that’s certainly finding its ‘groove’ back and the GABF is certainly delighted with its president telling Chronicle Sport, “We are pleased with the increasing number of spectators since the tournament started, the close rivalry between the teams has intensified and the crowd involvement in the games seems to be pulsating and intense”
“We have started the process of rebranding a magnificent product called basketball. As stated by the experts – basketball is the second-most popular – and the fastest-growing – sport in the world and GABF is working for the promotion and develop of basketball to make the sport the fastest growing, most entertaining and popular in Guyana,” Hinds further stated.
The average person might be flabbergasted by the GABF’s rapid success at not only getting fans back to the sport, but also bringing about revitalised interest by the clubs. However, Hind’s supporting cast must also be showered with praise.
Despite the resignation of General Secretary Dr Richard Blair (due to work commitments), Hinds’ vice-presidents are Michael Singh (who also campaigned for the position of president at the GABF elections), Haslyn Graham and Kenrick Thomas.
Cecil Chin is GABF technical director, Leona Kyte assistant secretary and Clement De Nobrega is treasurer.
Hinds took over from politician David Patterson and had stated, “We’re way behind the rest of the countries in the CBC. I know David (Patterson) tried his best but he encountered several challenges beyond his control. However, that’s still not an excuse for the state of the game. I believe collectively we can turn things around”
As the ‘Road to Mecca’ climaxes, the thrills in the rivalry on the court and roars from the crowd will only bring a fitting end to what has been nothing short of an extraordinary tournament.
$200 000 will go to the second-place team while the clubs that are knocked out at the semifinals stage will each receive $100 000.
Teams knocked out at the quarterfinals will pocket $50 000 and for those who get the axe during the round-of-16, $16 000.
By Rawle Toney