Private sector support, a must for sports development
By Rene Stoby
Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) and veteran Guyanese broadcaster and sports administrator
From left Nigel Hinds, Joseph “Reds” Perreira and Dexter Douglas – head of GBOC
Joseph “Reds” Perreira held a joint press conference at Cara Lodge last Monday June 6.
The GABF President, Nigel Hinds updated the media on the progress with regards to Guyana hosting the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Under-16 Championships, which will be at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown Guyana.
Hinds indicated that the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has committed $1M while Quality Seafoods Inc. has contributed $1M to the hosting of the event.
Other commitments in place are $20M from the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture Youth and Sports and $16M from the CBC. The $12M upgrades to CASH and the National Gymnasium are also part of $80M budget of hosting the Championships.
Guyana is scheduled to co-host the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting early in July and both Hinds and “Reds” Perreira appealed to corporate Guyana to help the federation and the Local Organising Committee to put on an impressive event at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Perreira, former Head of GABF in the 1960’s and ‘70s also urged associations to work closer with the relevant stakeholders including Ministries and social development agencies to ensure programmes are in place that would contribute to the development of sports and young people at large.
Additionally, Perreira donated 48 whistles to the Guyana Basketball Officials Council (GBOC) on behalf of Bruce Fernandes, a former basketball player now refereeing in Canada.
He also made a donation to GABF by way of a cheque that he described as “just a token” and hopes it will motivate the private sector and individuals to do the same.
