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YBG launches NSBF extended version
– conferences established across Guyana
With Digicel Guyana, Banks DIH Limited and the National Sport Commission affirming their support once again this year, Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) has been able to transform the National Schools’ Basketball Festival (NSBF) into a mega-national event.
The tournament was officially launched yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and YBG Coordinator, Chris Bowman commented of the additional features of the tournament this year.
Stakeholders share a photo opportunity to commemorate the launch of the 2011 National Schools Basketball Festival.
In this, the sixth edition of the tournament, Bowman stated that it will now feature a regional conference format including five areas. This format, according to Bowman, allows them to cater for players from a wider cross-section of the population.
The conferences included in this year’s tournament are Georgetown or ‘City Conference’, The East Bank Conference, the East Coast Conference, the New Amsterdam Conference/Corentyne ‘Ancient County’ Conference, and the Linden ‘Big 10’ Conference.
Following the format of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) basketball tournament, teams will play for a rank to advance to the Championship Final that will be held in Georgetown, July 1-10.
According to Bowman, 32 teams will advance to the Championships round in two divisions. The top 16 teams will compete in division one, while the other half will compete in division two.
Apart from advancing to the Championships round, all winners and top performers from their respective conferences will be awarded trophies and other prizes. The tournament will also have an Under-16 tournament and for the first time, a Girls Championship.
The regional conferences will tip off at the Cliff Anderson Sport Hall on Friday with seven games from city teams including Queen’s College, Saint Stanislaus College and Marian Academy.
The other conferences are expected to commence next Friday in all the other conferences except the Linden ‘Big Ten’ Conference since the Mackenzie Sport Club’s basketball court is currently undergoing repairs.
Bowman stated support from key stakeholders Digicel, Banks DIH, NSC and the other sponsors was crucial this year since the tournament will feature 321 games, 50 teams and run for close to two months this year.
Communications Officer of Banks, Troy Peters, commended YBG, stating that his company was once again pleased to partner with them for another venture. Banks has committed to sponsoring the tournament this year under their sports energy drink Powerade.
Digicel’s Business Development and Sponsorship Manager, Gavin Hope applauded the work of the organisers for developing and sustaining the model for the past six years. Hope said that his company was supportive of the venture since some of its goals coincide with those of his company.
“Guyana knows that Digicel is committed to sport. It’s all about our youth and what is important to us is keeping the youths occupied in a meaningful way,” Hope mentioned, before Director of Sport, Neil Kumar gave the event his blessings.
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