By Romario Samaroo
The Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday at the Cara Lodge on Quamina Street, Georgetown. A number of reports were presented, but among the day’s most significant activities were the elections which saw Adrian Hooper ascended to the helm of the association.
Hooper, previously vice president of the association, was nominated by Pacesetters, seconded by Colts, and received the green light from five clubs. He defeated Clement Brusch, who was nominated by Eagles, to lead the Association for the next two years, Brusch receiving only one vote.
The clubs present at the AGM were Pepsi Sonics, Eagles, Colts, Guardians and Pacesetters.
After his election, Hooper said it is his hope to continue on the works of the previous administration. He promised to provide more youth tournaments, noting: “What I will be trying to do for the next two years in basketball is have it active, more active.”
He elaborated: “We play basketball every two months and have to wait for another competition. So I will try my best to have more competitions; probably every weekend, if not every other weekend.”
His plans as president include “trying to introduce more youths to basketball, not just the Under-23 League, but we will go as far as the school level. Children going into fifth form we will teach the game and have some competitions for them, and let them get exposed to the game, because youths are the future of basketball right now.”
Hooper noted that, in terms of sponsorship, with the Association having just around $27,000, it will be an uphill task to raise sponsorship, but he said he would nevertheless look to increase the companies that are on board already. This is expected to be accompanied by some fund-raisers.
Former president and member of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, Michael Singh, pledged the full support of the federation, advising Hooper that his “phone is on 24 hours a day, and the Federation is there to lend support whenever needed.”
Also, outgoing president Junior Hercules, upon his demission of office, encouraged Hooper to promote basketball with integrity, and continue to lift the standards of the Association in an effort the better the sport nationally.
According to constitution, the new GABA president is expected to present, within five days, those expected to take up the executive roles of the Association. However, he has promised to do so by Thursday.
