D-Up Academy takes Region three/Essequibo basketball to the Caribbean

Aug 11, 2026 Sports

Kaieteur Sports – The D-Up Basketball Academy is steadily carving out a name for itself on the local basketball landscape, and despite operating without major financial backing, the academy continues to make strides under the leadership of Chairman and Head Coach Anthony Kandar.

Kandar, who has been exploring every avenue to raise the standard of basketball in Region Three and Essequibo, believes the development of young players requires more than just local competition. His vision is to create opportunities for youngsters to test their skills against international opposition while balancing their academic and athletic development.

D-Up Academy takes Region three/Essequibo basketball to the Caribbean

D-Up Basketball Academy Head Coach, Anthony Kandar (left) with Team captain, Aliandro Wickham.

That vision will receive another major boost later this month when D-Up makes its international debut at the 2026 Invitational Aloysius Daniel Basketball Youth Classic in Castries, St Lucia, from August 17-22.

The trip follows the academy’s successful Youth Basketball Jamboree in May and represents another significant step in its development programme.

For Kandar, the mission goes beyond winning basketball games.

“My duty/sole purpose is to create a space for youth(s) to thrive both academically and athletically,” Kandar said. “Much appreciation goes out to all the persons and entities that would have contributed to making this a reality. A special thank you to all who supported and understood the journey.”

The Aloysius Daniel Basketball Youth Classic, now in its fifth year, has developed into a regional attraction, drawing participation from several Caribbean territories. This year’s competition has also expanded its international reach, with England among the countries confirmed for the 2026 tournament.

At least 11 countries have indicated their participation, with teams from Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, host St Lucia and England expected to feature.

For D-Up, however, the focus is on using the opportunity as a developmental platform.

Kandar is elated to lead a 10-member squad to St Lucia, believing the experience will expose his players to a higher standard of competition and ultimately raise their level of play.

“Though it has been a tough process in selecting players, these players would have been selected from our two-month School Basketball Jamboree programme where several schools would have competed,” he explained.

The academy officially announced its squad on Monday, with Aliandro Wickham of Vergenoegen Secondary School named captain. He will be joined by schoolmate Sam Persaud, Desson Benjamin and Marvin Marks.

Bishop’s High School will be represented by Kemol Pickering, Ethan Blair, John Nazier, Brentnol Archer and Taishen Chung, while Namit Persaud of Queens, New York, completes the 10-member contingent.

Kandar will serve as head coach, with Bishop’s High School’s Debbie Solomon named assistant coach and Kamala Rameshwar appointed team manager.

As preparations intensify, Kandar said the academy remains committed to its core objectives of developing fundamentals, teamwork and competitive confidence while exposing its players to basketball beyond Guyana’s shores.

“We at D-Up Basketball are continuing to build fundamental skills, teamwork, having fun and giving our players international exposure,” Kandar said.

“It’s been a busy month for our players. We had our summer camp with a few international players from Washington, D.C.”

The academy has also extended appreciation to the individuals and entities that have assisted in making the St Lucia venture possible, including Coach Kala, President of the St Lucia Basketball Association; Coach Andy of St Lucia; Mikey Burnett; Greg George, Principal of Vergenoegen Secondary School; Two Brothers Enterprises; and Javid Khan Auto Sales.

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