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Toney to contest LABA Presidency on Sunday
– Hamid reportedly not interested in re-election
By Edison Jefford
Sports Journalist, Rawle Toney, who still does freelance work for the Guyana Chronicle, has announced his candidature for the Presidency of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) ahead of Sunday’s Annual General Meeting and Elections.
Rawle Toney
Abdullah Hamid
Toney’s announcement came a day after Kaieteur Sport was told that current President, Abdullah ‘Zico’ Hamid will not be seeking re-election. Efforts to contact Hamid for comment on this issue proved futile since this newspaper learnt of the development.
Hamid, who was elected LABA President in May 2009, reportedly expressed his frustration over the poor support he has received in office. Hamid is also the national female coach and a Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Technical Advisor.
“I don’t want anything to do with Basketball in Linden anymore. I don’t know man, but the clubs here is either they don’t have my vision for the game, or they just don’t care,” Toney said Hamid told him in a conversation in Linden last weekend.
Toney made the disclosure in a document sent to this writer announcing his intention to contest a post that was unfavorable for Hamid, who had an intricate experience with the Mackenzie Sports Club Court following its stalled rehabilitation last August.
“We (LABA) will have elections on Sunday at 1pm
at the Mackenzie Sports Club and it will be our general meeting as well, but like I said, I don’t want to go back in there,” Toney, who said he can make a difference, quoted Hamid in his document yesterday.
Turning his attention to his platform for running for the top post of the sub-association, Toney is of the view that he can resuscitate the sport in Linden. Competitive basketball has been absent in Linden since last June with Hamid citing lack of corporate support.
“I have what it takes to take the defunct association from the abyss and make it functioning again because I am aware of all the differences and divides that surround the game in Linden,” he said, adding that being a Sports Journalist have helped him in that regard.
“I feel being a Sports Journalist over the past five years, and knowing all that affects the game in Linden, I can make a difference. I’m fed up of reporting on what ‘use to happen’ in Linden when it comes to basketball knowing what can happen,” Toney said.
The Sports Journalist that worked at the National Communications Network and Stabroek News before the Guyana Chronicle explained that enthusiasts encouraged him to run for the Presidency of the LABA since he seemed to be adept with the sport in Linden.
“Their (enthusiasts) encouragement hit home, especially since I knew that’s where I got my little knowledge about the game from. I learnt a lot from Hamid as a player growing up” he said in his document, adding that he is aware that his ambition is uncommon.
“I know its common especially in Linden that its President or head be affiliated to some Business but I didn’t just wake up and say well ‘I want to be LABA President’ I’ve placed a lot of thought into it. Even before, some very powerful people have asked me to give it a shot and pledged their support if I go into office,” the former national junior player informed.
Apart from the support from enthusiasts and influential stakeholders, Toney said that clubs under the aegis of the sub-association have also related their corporation. He indicated that his aim is to develop a plan that will make the game self-sufficient in Linden.
He said that he plans to continue in Sports Journalism on advice from a colleague. However, the development of the sport in Linden will take precedence. “I feel deep down inside, I can make an impact. I’m not going to go into the clichéd speeches, its more action than words as of now,” the only individual to announce his candidacy for the post, to date, said.
Toney indicated that his top priority, if elected President, will be to get the Mackenzie Basketball Court fully functional before turning his attention to the development of other courts. He said the general development of basketball in Linden is his primary focus.
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