GTI easily disposes of President’s College

Feb 24, 2009 Sports

– to win NSC Schools’ Championships

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony (centre) poses with the winning Guyana Technical Institute team with Director of Sport Neil Kumar (right) and Parliamentary Secretary Steve Ninvalle (left) at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Sunday night.

By Edison Jefford
The Guyana Technical Institute (GTI) continued its rich sport history Sunday night when the institute easily disposed of President’s College to win the coveted National Sports Commission (NSC) Schools’ Championships.

The technical institute had four players in double figures as they thrashed their opponents 85–53 in an exciting one–sided display at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, while Saints snatched third place from Charlestown 59–38.
Former national junior player Shelroy Thomas led the technical team with 22 points with support from Kevin Jordan 19 points, Colwin Nurse 14 points and Keon Hayles 11 points in the featured game Sunday night.
Richard Mohandatt continued his excellent performance in the competition with 26 points in the final but obviously lacked the necessary offensive support. Leroy Jackman was the next best on the score sheet with six points.

Saints’ Jamaal Scott scored 19 points while Seon Braithwaite had 13 points to help them beat Charlestown, who had Colin McIntyre and Orison Amsterdam in double figures with 12 and 10 points respectively in the third place game.
Charlestown got consolation from their female team after they won their version of the competition. The female competition involved three teams, including New Campbellville Secondary in a round robin playoff.
A few players were rewarded for their individual performances throughout the two week championship. Mohandatt got the Most Assist award; Braithwaite received the Most Rebounds prize while Thomas copped Most Steals.

Kennyann Bacchus got the nod for Most Improved Player while Marian Academy was a recipient of the Most Disciplined Team award. Cowen Gittens was the Best Rebounder in the knockout phase of the competition.
Ruel Ritch received the Most Steals prize for the knockout competition while the Most Valuable Player of the Final prize was given to Jordan, who had 16 rebounds to support his 19 points in a double–double performance.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony told the gathering that the event equals regional school tournaments.
Anthony believes that the level of the contest augurs well for the future of the sport in schools.
“This is to show the participation we have in the schools system. This equals anything we have in the Caribbean and I think that if you go and play in the Caribbean, you can very well hold your own,” Anthony encouraged.

The minister said that consistent competitions are the best way to help players develop in the schools system. “We will be having a lot of school activities. We will be assisting schools with programmes and coaches,” he said.
Anthony took the opportunity to congratulate the winning team and urged the President’s College to come back with a vengeance next year. He said that the potential that was on display has set a good example for the future.

Speaking to Kaieteur Sport, Director of Sport Neil Kumar said that he was impressed with the competition. “I would like to see competition run with the Inter Guiana Games regulations,” Kumar added.
He chastised GTI for not thoroughly following the rules of the competition as it relates to the age limit of participation. Kumar said that the next tournament will have strict age guidelines that will have to be implemented.

“I am going to put an age limit to this tournament. In addition, players must have decent attendance in school. While GTI won, I would urge them to remember that it is a secondary school tournament,” he said.
Kumar believes that President’s College was at a disadvantage owing to the fact that they played a more experienced and older GTI team. He said that the age limit will be adjusted to around a 16 or 17–year–old cut off limit.

Latest News