Guyana to host CBC U-16 Championships after a 17-year absence
The Government of Guyana on Thursday last committed 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.
President of the CBC, Glyne Clarke, stated that his organization needed the commitment from the Government to ensure Guyana’s
Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine (fourth, right) with Glyne Clarke, 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, Nigel Hinds, Patrick Haynes, Kenrick Thomas and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones.
capacity to host the Championships, which has not been held in Guyana since 1999.
At a meeting with CBC’s President Clarke and Vice-President Patrick Haynes, Guyana’s Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine emphasized that Guyana is proud to be host of the 2016 Championships.
“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,” said Roopnaraine who is the Minister with responsibility for Sports locally.
The minister expressed his approval, stating that mega events such as this should always be pursued since they bring great benefits to the country.
Clarke was delighted with Government’s position as he indicated 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.
Clarke went on to say “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. We want to thank Government for coming up with this contribution.”
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. Also present at the meeting was President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association, Nigel Hinds who is hoping that corporate Guyana will grab the opportunity come July.
“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 spin-offs.” Hinds added.
“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.
Ten Men’s and seven Women’s National teams have been confirmed as participants in the tournament. This includes; Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and the hosts Guyana in the Men’s Championship.
The Women’s Championship will include national teams from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the hosts Guyana.
The Youth Championship was last held in St John’s, Antigua in 2008 with the Bahamas capturing both Men’s and Women’s Championships.
