Barbados opts out of GABF International Series

Jul 22, 2010 Sports

– Suriname uncertain, all other teams confirmed

By Edison Jefford

The Barbados national senior male team has opted out of the International Series that the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) will host during August 19-24 while Suriname is blurred on whether or not they will compete in what is dubbed a mega event.
Barbados withdrew from participating in the competition citing “financial constraints”. President of the GABF, David Patterson confirmed yesterday that Barbados has opted out of the event, but confirmed that all the other teams, except Suriname, will participate.
Kaieteur Sport contacted Patterson for confirmation after being privy to a correspondence sent to the federation’s head from a Barbados basketball official, who apologised for what was called an overdue note, but also gave the championship his best wishes.
“Unfortunately, we will not be able to participate due to financial constraints. We wish you all the best with the tournament and hope that it is successful,” the brief letter to Patterson indicated with the name of the official, who will remain nameless, given.
When contacted, Patterson said that the officials in Barbados had another major tournament that they gave priority ahead of the Guyana tour. In addition, he informed that the officials believe that it is cheaper to fly to the United States than Guyana from Barbados.
“They were saying that they were better off flying to the United States than Guyana because it is a lot cheaper, but we have confirmations for everybody else except Suriname, who are in a bit of disarray; we’re saying if they (Suriname) come they come,” he indicated.
“We have all the US-based teams confirmed and we have Antigua and Barbuda confirmed. They (Antigua) are working out the flight details, there is just a little problem with LIAT, but all of the US-based teams are fine with flights etcetera.” Patterson continued.
Guyana’s national male team will play the Washington DC Jammers for the ‘Godwin McPherson Trophy’. The Jammers are expected to arrive on August 18 and not 14 as previously reported. In addition, male and female South Carolina teams are to participate.
The South Carolina Lady All-Stars had competed here last year under Head Coach, Larry Davis, who is expected to be at the helm of both male and female teams this year. Davis made a promise when he was here last August to return after his successful tour. Initially, six international male teams were to be part of the event, but with Barbados out and the cloud of doubt hanging over Suriname’s participation, the teams now down to compete including Guyana and a New York-based team, are down to five.
The male competition should therefore include Guyana, D.C Jammers, South Carolina, Antigua and Barbuda and the New York-based team. A women’s team from Washington is also expected to compete to complete a triangular series for the female tournament.

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Barbados opts out of GABF International Series

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