LABA secretary replies to Banks DIH’s denial for sponsorship commitment

Nov 17, 2008 Sports

DEAR MR. EDITOR,
After due consideration and in light of denial by the beverage giants Banks DIH Limited, that it never committed itself to sponsor the LABA’s 2008 First Division basketball championship, I feel compelled as Secretary of LABA to respond.

It is a pity that the Communications Manager of Banks DIH Mr. Troy Peters has come forward to state “Banks DIH Limited wishes to state that there was no commitment, verbal or written, to sponsor the LABA tournament,” as his colleagues should have advised him on this matter.

This of course was in reference to president of LABA Uborn Smith, that Banks DIH Limited had withdrawn from a commitment made previously.

I wish to recall that in November last year we made a request and furnished Banks DIH Limited with a budget for this proposed championship, as our intention then was to have this tournament played in the first quarter of 2008.

However, just before the 2008 Linden Town Week, at April’s month end, we realised that we had not heard from Banks DIH. Incidentally, we saw Mr. Carlton Joao and Mr. Mortimer Stewart in Linden and enquired of Mr. Joao about the state of our request. Mr. Joao then asked for a copy of the correspondence and we promptly secured one, and met in the office of the Linden Branch Manager Ms Shaundel Easton.

At this meeting in the Linden Office were the Linden Manager Ms. Easton, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Joao, Mr. Uborn Smith, Second Vice President Bryan Lewis and myself.

There, Mr. Carlton Joao went through the budget with us and said he had no problem with the request but asked that there be additionally, a provision for advertising costs inclusive for television and banners.

Mr. Joao then declared that this will be known as the ‘Sprite First Division Basketball championship.’ We interpret that as a commitment.

Subsequently, as was requested, the LABA sent a revised budget under the caption of the ‘Sprite /LABA basketball championship.’

After that meeting we made several checks at the Linden Office and were told that there was no word yet on this Sprite/ LABA championship. Then we were told that Banks DIH will meet with us after Carifesta.

On checking after Carifesta, the Linden Office informed us that there were some other internal matters being addressed, so we could not be entertained. To this date we are unsure of what really is the position with this budget which we feel was committed to by Banks DIH.

We are still awaiting word on the real position, as in all that we have written and spoken to as a follow-up Banks DIH Limited has not seen it fit to reply officially to our request.

At this juncture one would want to know if the release by Mr. Peters is a final decision taken by Banks DIH Limited. Or that the LABA should await an official position from the beverage giants.

Why are being treated like this? As we refer to this Guyanese company proudly as “is we own.”

Joseph Chapman
Secretary, LABA

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LABA secretary replies to Banks DIH’s denial for sponsorship commitment

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