Latest update August 4th, 2026 12:30 AM
Government backs FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Pre-Qualifier as Kashif and Shanghai named Local Organising Committee
Kaieteur Sports – The Government of Guyana has thrown its full support behind the hosting of the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Pre-Qualifier tournament, with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. declaring the administration’s commitment to ensuring the successful staging of the prestigious regional event.
The announcement was made on Monday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall during a formal ceremony where the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) and the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation signed an agreement appointing the veteran sports promotion body as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the July 8-12 championship.
Minister Ramson, joined by Michael Singh and Kashif Muhammad, along with GBF Vice President, Jermaine Slater.
The signing ceremony was attended by basketball officials, representatives of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, members of the media, and Minister Ramson, who hailed the development as another significant milestone for sports in Guyana.
According to Ramson, the Government is fully behind the initiative and is officially endorsing Guyana’s hosting of the tournament.
“We are giving our stamp of approval to host the tournament,” Ramson stated.
The Minister noted that the event represents the confidence and trust that the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has placed in both Guyana and the Guyana Basketball Federation to successfully host a competition of such magnitude.
Minister Charles Ramson Jr
Ramson congratulated the GBF for securing the hosting rights and praised the federation’s continued efforts to elevate the sport locally.
“This is a reflection of the trust that has been shown in Guyana and in the Guyana Basketball Federation. It demonstrates that our country continues to build a reputation for successfully hosting major regional and international sporting events,” Ramson said.
The tournament will mark the return of the FIBA Men’s Caribbean Championship after a seven-year hiatus and will serve as the first stage on the road to qualification for the FIBA AmeriCup 2029.
Guyana has been drawn in Group A alongside Dominica, Turks and Caicos Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and Bermuda. Group B comprises Haiti, Grenada, Cayman Islands, Barbados, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The championship will be contested in a round-robin format, with each team playing every opponent within its group. At the conclusion of group play, only the top team from each group will advance to the next phase of the AmeriCup qualifying pathway, adding significant importance to every game.
Kashif Muhammad will lead the LOC for the FIBA AmeriCup Pre-Qualifiers in Guyana.
For Guyana, the event carries historic significance.
It will be the first time since 1994 that the country hosts the regional championship, while also reviving memories of 1981 when Guyana staged the inaugural edition of the tournament, then called the CARICOM Championship.
GBF President Michael Singh welcomed the appointment of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation as the LOC, expressing confidence that one of Guyana’s most experienced event management teams will deliver a first-class championship.
“We are placing Guyana on show in trusted hands,” Singh said while welcoming the organisation’s involvement.
He noted that Kashif and Shanghai’s proven track record in organising major sporting events made them an ideal partner for the federation as it prepares to host teams and officials from across the Caribbean.
Singh also disclosed that preparations for the tournament are progressing smoothly, with systems already being put in place to ensure a professionally managed event both on and off the court.
Regarding the draw, Singh described Guyana’s grouping as favourable but cautioned against complacency.
While advancing remains a priority, he stressed that the national team’s ambitions extend beyond qualification.
The GBF president further highlighted the importance of support from the private sector, noting that strong corporate involvement will be critical to maximising both the sporting and economic benefits of the tournament.
He also acknowledged the continued collaboration between the federation and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, revealing that the GBF has been working closely with Ministers Charles Ramson Jr. and Minister Steven Jacobs in preparation for the event.
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