GABF officially rewards Ravens

Mar 30, 2014 Sports

-Kanhai is tournament MVP

By Edison Jefford
The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) officially handed over the Championships trophy and prize money to Dyna’s Ravens at a cocktail reception that was held at the New Palm Court Friday night.
President of the GABF, Nigel Hinds opened his remarks with the famous Barack Obama quote: “They said this day would never come…” which was a direct quip at the fact that the new GABF Administration managed to host a successful National Championships.
The GABF Nation-wide tournament, called ‘Road to Mecca’, was played over five weekends at local basketball’s Mecca, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with Ravens emerging Champions from the 16 participating teams,

Ravens’ Marlon Rodrigues receive the team prizes from a GABF Representative Friday night at the New Palm Court.

winning $400,000 in the process.
“We held a successful National Championship and we plan to hold on to the momentum; we have a lot to be thankful for and it is important that we continue to raise our game and improve the level of basketball in Guyana,” Hinds continued.
Admittedly, he said that Guyana seems to be in the deficit when compared to countries in the Caribbean, but if efforts are made to continue lifting the game, then there is no doubt that the country will be able to compete at “the highest level”.
Vice-President of the GABF, Michael Singh indicated that the players shortlisted to go into the training camp for the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships in July will be known soon. He said that the three sub-associations will provide names.
Among those that also received awards were Raiders, for finishing Runner-up, earning the right to be the nation’s second best club and Akeem Kanhai, who was unanimously adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
Ravens guards Dominic Vincente and Rodwell Fortune shared the Finals MVP Award while the Colts guard, Shelroy Thomas was Scoring Champion. Colts finished third in the tournament with Amelia’s Ward Jets finishing fourth after losing to Colts.
Raiders’ Dwayne Roberts won the award for Most Rebounds with Kanhai also picking up the Most Assist prize.
Meanwhile, the forum at New Palm Court was also used to officially announce ‘From Mecca to Mackenzie’ Basketball Playoffs that will be held at the Mackenzie Sports Club Court in Linden this Saturday, beginning at 7pm.
The tournament is aimed at giving Lindeners an opportunity to see what they may have missed at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall last Sunday night. It will feature return games with Ravens taking on Raiders; Colts battling Jets and Kings coming up against Pacesetters.
Georgetown’s three best clubs will play Linden’s top three clubs in the return fixture, which will bring the national rivalry to Linden. Sports Management Inc. is hosting the event that GABF has sanctioned. Stag Beer is the official sponsor of ‘From Mecca to Mackenzie’.