Latest update January 31st, 2025 7:15 AM
Latest News
- Exxon deal cannot be reversed – Min. Teixeira tells National Assembly
- Norton slams govt. heavy reliance on oil fund for 2025 Budget amid declining oil prices
- 67 killed after jet hits helicopter in Washington
- Man killed after concrete slab collapsed on him
- 16-yr-old girl killed by 40-yr-old lover at Baramita
Government commits $20mln to host CBC U-16 Championships
By Edison Jefford
Government yesterday committed $20 million as a prerequisite to Guyana’s Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) to assist in hosting the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Under-16 Championships in July.
Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine (fourth, right) shakes hands with CBC President, Glyne Clarke yesterday while Minister within the Ministry, which has responsibility for Sport, Dr. Nicolette Henry (third, right) share the moment with from left Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, GABF President, Nigel Hinds, Patrick Haynes, GABF VP, Kenrick Thomas and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones.
The CBC Executive Evaluation Commission, which is currently in Guyana with CBC President, Glyne Clarke, needed the commitment from Government to ensure Guyana’s capacity to host the Championships, which was last held here in 1999.
Minister of Education, which is the ministry that is responsible for sport, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine made it clear that Guyana is proud to be host of the 2016 Championships at a meeting with CBCs Clarke and Vice-President, Patrick Haynes.
“We are happy to be hosts; we have an interest in not only hosting events but also developmental work. We are happy to host these events because it puts Guyana on show,” Roopnaraine said, as he informed that Cabinet commits to the requisite $20 million.
The minister indicated that the benefits of hosting such a mega event must be pursued. “We want to advance sport in our schools in a serious way; we will be anxious to see a programme of worth that recognises a lot of capacity building,” he said.
Clarke was elated with Government’s position. He congratulated the GABF, while indicating his satisfaction of the physical structure required for the Championships, though some amount of the necessary upgrade is to be done before jump-ball in July.
“What we saw made us very hopeful. Guyana has always been at the forefront of our basketball in the Caribbean; Guyana has always been gracious hosts. We were assured that all the works to be completed are mostly cosmetic,” he said.
“We want to thank Government for coming up with this contribution,” he added. The gathering was informed that the last CBC U-16 Championships was held in 2008. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry spoke of the social impact of the Championships.
Henry said that the investment is being made in youth. She stated that it is important that they are exposed to different cultures. “We are happy to host the Championships, but what is important is the capacity building,” she said.
“We hope to have some networking and mentorship programmes done. This is an investment in our young people. We are looking at this in terms of human development. We are looking at this as more than sports,” the minister indicated.
“There will be lots of opportunities and we want to ensure that we maximise those opportunities to ensure we get the required value,” she continued. GABF President, Nigel Hinds thanked both ministers for their commitment to its vision for the sport.
“We at the GABF are very grateful for the efforts and commitment of the Government. We had a vision that is now becoming a reality. This will not be just an event that takes place and vanishes. It will have lots of spinoffs,” Hinds concurred yesterday.
“This is a step in the right direction. We are in need of a sports culture. We believe that this is a great investment in Guyana’s youth. We are grateful to Government and the Ministry of Education. This is a wonderful moment for us,” Hinds concluded.
The Caribbean Confederation through its per diem programme will add 25 percent of the budget to host the event while the other budgetary sums will come from corporate sponsorship. Hinds is hoping that corporate Guyana grab this opportunity.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Show us the numbers!
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The government through its superior management of the economy says that it has bestowed... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
