GBF eyeing developing basketball facility at Eccles

The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has announced plans to turn a field in the community of Eccles, East Bank Demerara into an exclusive basketball facility.
The intention is to continuously develop basketball players, and the GBF has already commenced
discussions with the Eccles Neighbourhood Democratic Council.
This information was provided by GBF President Michael Singh in an interview, in which he explained that the facility would be under exclusive control of the GBF, would provide year-round court time for basketballers, and would aid in the long-time protection of players.
Emphasising that current facilities need upgrading to ease the strain on athletes, Singh disclosed,
“So, we have to keep upgrading them. For instance, our Surinamese counterparts don’t play on hard court at all. So, we need to constantly keep upgrading, where we can ease the strain on our athletes (in order) to help them improve. But, I mean, improving of assets, improving of Government facilities, will happen; (but) we are undertaking to go after our own facility, which will be totally basketball. We’re not competing with any other sport (for use of this facility).”

Commenting on the ongoing GBF Elite 16 Knockout Basketball Tournament, Singh said the tournament is a precursor to the One Guyana Basketball League, which is anticipated to feature thrilling basketball action.
“Very good tournament so far. We had – out of the three play days – we had two playing days, with one of the days we had a lighting problem; so, we basically rectified that so far.
“This tournament is actually (about) the sixteen best clubs in the country, which will be a precursor to the ‘One Guyana’ Tournament, which will be the biggest tournament Guyana has ever held, has ever undertaken,” he explained.
“That’s under the auspices of the President, where we’ll have two groups of 13 playing each other, with the best clubs going through. The President also has mandated that he will also like each club to have a 16-year-old player. So, you’ll see some depth, and you’ll see some nice aspects coming out of those games,” He disclosed.
Singh has also emphasized the necessity of consistent basketball being played at all levels throughout the year in order to facilitate national selection.
“Any tournament – any national tournament, I should say – the involvement of Linden versus Georgetown, and Bartica and Berbice, when these teams get an opportunity to see each other, they always develop; because Georgetown would have a different style of play to how Kwakwani would play and how Linden would play,” Singh declared.
“If you’re watching this game now, Victory Valley, they have a more up-tempo (style of play). Georgetown would kind of slow the ball down a little bit more, (because their style of play is) a little bit more structured. So, you always get development in these types of tournaments,” he declared.
“I think we need to be playing basketball year-round, both on the 203 and the senior level, (in order) to improve. So, when it’s time to call a national team, at various levels, it will be easier all right,” he declared.
The Guyana Basketball Federation’s Elite 16 Tournament would see a double-header night at the National Gymnasium on Wednesday, because Amelia’s Ward Jets would battle Pacesetters and Retrieve Raiders would take on UG Trojans. On Thursday, the Guyana Defence Force would be coming against Stabroek Eagles, and Block 22 Flames would be battling the Kobras. Action starts at 7:15pm on both nights.
The team emerging champion in the battle of the elites would earn a winner’s purse of $300,000. The team finishing in second place would earn $100,000, while the third-placed team would earn $50,000, and the tournament’s MVP would be awarded $25,000 for a standout performance. (Omar McKenzie)