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Feb 23, 2013 Sports

GABA President, Michael Singh (second, right) addresses the media yesterday at the New Palm Court while LABA Secretary, Joe Chapman, GBOC President, Cecil Chin (left), and Mackeson Brand Manager, Jamaal Douglas (right) share the head table.
By Edison Jefford
The always intense and combative Linden versus Georgetown basketball clash scheduled for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) next Saturday was impressively launched yesterday at the New Palm Court, Main Street.
The New Palm Court and Ansa McAl, under its Mackeson Brand, are among the major sponsors of the duel that gets underway from 7pm. Mackeson Brand Manager, Jamaal Douglas stated that the brand is proud to be associated with the contest.
President of the Guyana Basketball Officials Council (GBOC), Cecil Chin chaired the launch and rightly stated that the coming together of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) and Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) to give players a national platform to perform indicates a step in the right direction.
“The fact that we have so much representatives of teams present here today is testimony that we are eager to see basketball move forward and the LABA and GABA are intent on making this a possibility,” Chin told the media.
He said that the rivalry between the two basketball powerhouses usually necessitates the best of referees and as a result, GBOC is committed to providing such. Chin revealed that the referees and officials are undergoing continuous training to improve their quality.
The game next Saturday will feature Linden’s under-19 team against their Georgetown under-19 counterparts in the first game. The senior representative teams will then take the court for what is built as a feature encounter between the basketball giants. President of the Georgetown sub-association, Michael Singh urged supporters from the two representative communities to come out and support their team. “We need your support and the teams need your support next Saturday,” Singh said.
He said that the initiative will be ongoing to coordinate efforts from the sub-association to ensure that players are competitively exposed. According to Singh, yesterday’s forum also launched the GABA Division I and III Leagues that starts following next Saturday’s game.
Representative from the LABA, Secretary, Joe Chapman said that his association is happy to be associated with the GABA in ensuring that their respective players play quality basketball. He is of the view that the exchange is necessary for development.
“The Georgetown vs. Linden clash is something that basketball fans look forward to and we look forward to hosting the GABA in Linden when we launch our season,” Chapman said throwing the challenge back at Georgetown, which could mean that if Linden were to lose on Saturday in the City, a re-match would be imminent in the Mining Town.
Chapman said that consistent relations between the two sub-associations are necessary for overall advancement of basketball in Guyana. He said that the two young Presidents of the sub-associations have a lot to offer the sport and should be supported.
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