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Singh has proven grassroots worth to basketball
– Hinds is also an asset to sport’s development
By Edison Jefford
We have heard the proposals, of both candidates for the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Presidency, Michael Singh and Nigel Hinds, this past week, and it is down to the voting blocs today to select the next leader of the basketball fraternity.
Michael Singh
Singh, who is the current President of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), has done lots of work following years of dormancy within the sub-association in the Capitol City to prove his worth to developing the sport, especially from the grassroots.
After his election last January, Singh completed nearly seven major projects, which were aimed at popularising the sport and get basketball back into play-mode. He proudly lobbied for support today on the basis of completing over 400 played games last year.
In addition, Singh boldly returned basketball to the outdoors at Burnham Basketball Court, and single-handedly held together fund-raising initiatives to put some money in the GABA coffers in difficult financial times and lack of support for the sport locally.
As he had done with Colts Basketball Club after taking over as President, Singh transformed the sport in the City into a hub of activity. One would recall during the rainy season last year, Singh updated the media regularly on his anxiety to continue his programmes.
The 35-year-old Singh is a combination of youth, experience and entrepreneurship. Singh played basketball at Saint Stanisluas College as a student and also at Colts Basketball Club in the guard position. He is the owner of Paladin Security Firm, which he started in 2008, after spending most of his professional life in the Security Sector. He is a successful businessman, who also has Gold Mining Operations in Guyana.
His visibility and ability to connect with the base of the sport has made him popular among clubs in Georgetown and even Linden. Singh is ever-present at basketball or basketball-related activities at every level, even schools’ basketball programmes. His work with Colts and GABA has shown that he genuinely has the development of basketball at heart.
Meanwhile, Hinds, who represented Guyana in basketball and hockey, is an Accountant and the present Treasurer of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF). While his visibility around the sport might be insufficient to lobby for support for the top post over the years, Hinds has sponsored several basketball and basketball-related programmes.
Through his finance management and accounting company, Hinds has assisted the development of basketball through sponsorship since his re-migration. He has not had the chance to work hands-on with a club or association, but that has not prevented him from meaningful contributions to the sport. Hinds has proven to be an asset to basketball and its development.
Michael Burnett
Incumbent GABF President, David Patterson has said that he will not be seeking re-election. It stands to reason that basketball will get new leadership today, which was much needed after the bland performance from the outgoing administration in propelling the sport.
Michael Burnett, who is General Secretary of the current GABF, was the most vibrant member of the Executive during their tenure. Burnett was actively involved in programmes throughout the country, even the arbitration of the Dwayne Roberts issue in Linden.
The GABA, Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA), the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association (BABA), Guyana Women’s Basketball Association (GWBA), Masters Association and Guyana Basketball Officials’ Council (GBOC) each have two votes to decide the future of basketball in Guyana.
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