Guyana could host CBC Championships

Feb 17, 2009 Sports

– GABF, Government mulls collaboration

Neil Kumar

Godwin McPherson

By Edison Jefford
An important chapter in the history of local basketball unfolds as Guyana bids to host the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships in a move that is expected to unite Government and the basketball federation.

The window of opportunity was opened last weekend at CBC Annual General Meeting in Saint Lucia where a host for the 2009 contest was tossed in the air; a decision for a host country was expected following the meeting.

According to the ‘Minutes’ of the meeting, President of CBC, Usie Richards had pointed out that the British Virgin Islands have submitted an interest in hosting the region’s most prestigious senior basketball competition.

However, the territory is yet to confirm their willingness to host the event, which presents an excellent opportunity to the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) and the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

“…Richards informed the representatives present from the BVI to ensure that the relevant phone numbers are left…so that we can ensure timely follow up on their bid to host,” the ‘Minutes’ of the general meeting indicated.

Guyana was not represented at the meeting though moves were in progress to have one of the GABF Vice–Presidents attend, which fell through. However, the local federation was adequately apprised of all new developments.

President of the GABF, Godwin McPherson was busy yesterday trying to get the bidding document completed for submission to CBC before the February 18 deadline expires and was optimistic about Guyana’s chances of hosting.

“It’s a good move since we wanted to host the [CBC] Senior Championships a long time now. We have not hosted since 2000 even though we have a good track record of playing at home,” McPherson told Kaieteur Sport.

Guyana last hosted the senior competition in 1998 when the women’s national team won their version. Before 1998, Guyana had hosted four years earlier when the senior national male team lost in the finals against Barbados.

Against that background, McPherson said that Guyana could put in another special act at home if the country is rewarded with organising the 2009 CBC Championships. He said that such a foundation is currently being laid.

“I know that the Government will also recognise that it is a good way to go. We have to get Government support because of how big the tournament is. If Government wants it, that is the way to go,” the GABF Head reiterated.

Contacted yesterday, National Director of Sport, Neil Kumar made it emphatically clear that his office will support the local basketball federation if their bid to host the event is successful since that is the aim of ministry.

Kumar functions directly in unison with the National Sports Commission and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. He said that would be a welcomed development since Guyana has the potential to host such mega events.

“I don’t have a problem. We will support it. I think that Guyana should really try hard to host. We have all the facilities. I would be very happy to see Guyana host [the event],” the Director of Sport told this newspaper.

Kumar said that the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall is ready, while monies were exhausted to upgrade the dressing room and other supplementary facilities of the venue. He observed that Guyana could benefit from hosting the event.

“It depends a lot on the federation. I hope they push it,” he noted, adding that Guyana has a good track record of hosting mega events after Cricket World Cup and Carifesta proved to be successfully organised experiences.

With Kumar indicating, in not so exact words, that Government is prepared to support the GABF if their bid to host the 2009 CBC championships win, fingers should be crossed in hope that local basketball scores a big slam dunk.