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Basketball leaders in decisive meeting today
– future of federation, AGM key issues
By Edison Jefford
The remnants of the direction of local basketball seem to indicate that major stakeholders took serious offence to last year’s dismal performance and as such they are determined to change the future of the sport in Guyana.
Godwin Mc Pherson
Three presidents, among other officials, of the three leading governing associations for a sport that desperately needs resuscitation, will meet today in a no–holds–barred gathering aimed at charting a clear course forward.
President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), Godwin McPherson is expected to meet the presidents of the Georgetown and Linden sub–associations, Trevor Rose and Uborn Smith respectively today.
McPherson had told Kaieteur Sport on Monday that he was satisfied with the work of the two leading entities: Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) and Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA).
“I am satisfied with the work of the two associations but we have to try to drag others,” he said, adding that there is an urgent need for more involvement. Currently, the LABA and GABA are the two functioning sub–associations.
After McPherson’s pronouncement of satisfaction, the question became whether the two existing associations that will meet the GABF today are equally contented with what the GABF has done with local basketball.
Trevor Rose
Speaking to this newspaper yesterday, Rose said that the issues that the Georgetown body wants to raise at the meeting were fined tuned last night with secretary, Robert Cadogan, as they also seek to advance the City’s plan.
“We have a set plan for basketball in Georgetown; we have an agenda that we will put forward; we want to clean up basketball in Georgetown,” Rose inclined, adding that he hopes that the GABF will work with them.
According to Rose, the two groups have a good relationship that extends to collaboration with the Washington DC Jammers in 2007. Rose said that his intention is to make it clear that he wants the “good” relationship to continue.
“Basically, the GABA will just attend the meeting and take it from there. We will object, interject and share our opinion where necessary about the state of basketball,” the first term Georgetown President, Rose informed.
Linden seems to have the more aggressive approach planned for the meeting since their intention is to leave with more answers than questions. LABA President, Smith said that there are a few areas of concern for them.
He said that he supports McPherson’s stand on the Haynes Basketball Foundation but a similar approach is needed in other matters. McPherson had declared earlier this week that the Haynes foundation is not the GABF.
Uborn Smith
In addition to that declaration, McPherson had indicated that the reversal of their roles is a troubling matter for the federation. Smith admired McPherson’s position but indicated that the federation ought to take its role serious.
“The federation needs to take a more serious stance with its role. If we are to function the way we are supposed to, we will need a federation that takes basketball seriously,” Smith told Kaieteur Sport when contacted yesterday.
He said that the LABA met Monday night and several topics for today’s discussion were put into perspective including the federation’s plan for local basketball in 2009 and how they will conduct the business of the sport.
“We are open to what the federation has to present to the associations; we are interested in plans to take basketball forward,” Smith said, adding that he hopes that the federation addresses the issue of its Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The GABF AGM and elections are constitutionally due early this year since the mischief that extended the life of the present administration in 2007 will expire. Interestingly, the associations have a chance to raise this issue today.
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