Gordon to host VYC basketball clinic

Jul 15, 2008 Sports

Former Courts Pacesetter and now Scorpions first division forward, Devon Gordon will be hosting a basketball clinic for 100 children next Saturday as part of a Volunteer Youth Corps (VYC) ‘Big Brother, Big Sister’ programme.

Gordon told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that the orientation for the programme was held just before he spoke to this newspaper.

According to Gordon, renowned local gospel artist, Miriam Williams is also one of the facilitators.
The quality basketball player informed that the basketball workshop aspect of the event will run for five weeks from its commencement with the aim of “empowering children to let them know that they are not alone in this world.”

Gordon indicated that the major hurdle for the programme thus far is the readiness of sponsors to come on board.

“It will cost around $800,000 to feed the children and provide other support for five weeks; we are $600,000 short,” he said.

The former United States–based player told this paper that the organisation approached Banks DIH, Beepat’s, Ainlim and John Fernandes among others to ask for help in getting the “educational” activity off the ground.

“We are calling on them (the corporate community) to offer financial support for this endeavour,” Gordon pleaded, adding that they have not received responses from the companies they contacted to date.

The goals of the project are “to promote a professional service for youths between ages 8–18 who are affected by social issues and to help disadvantaged children who are unable to perform to their full potential”.