Over the last 11 years, the Youth Basketball Guyana’s (YBG) National School’s Basketball Festival (NSBF) has been the training grounds for young talent and come March 31, once again this Festival will take center stage.
This was revealed as the tournament was officially launched on Thursday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Homestretch Avenue where stakeholders threw in their sentiments on the tournament.
stakeholders take a photo opt during the launching of the 12th YBG National School’s Basketball Festival
Director of YBG, Chris Bowman extended much thanks to the sponsors who have unequivocally supported the tournament, while highlighting some of whom will not be with the Festival this year because of internal reasons.
“Regrettably because of internal issues, Banks and Digicel are unable to join us for this championship but we would publically like to thank both of them for their significant contribution over the last eight years and without those efforts we would not be able to reach this far,” Bowman said.
On the other hand, Bowman highlighted Beharry Group of Companies for their exemplification of commitment after being a sponsor for nine years.
Speaking on behalf of the Beharry Group, Brands Manager, Monique Tiwari acknowledged the years of commitment while further indicating the company’s continued support for the tournament. Tiwari added that while the company has been impressed with what the tournament has achieved so far, she pressed the organisers to do “bigger and better” in the future.
Bowman also acknowledged the efforts of the National Sports Commission (NSC) with Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, saying that the Commission is a strong supporter of youth development.
Jones noted that since assuming office, he has been monitoring their activities and recognize that they essentially have a template of which the NSC is trying to implement not only in a few districts but throughout the length and breadth of the country.
Representing the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, Vice President Kendrick Thomas commended the efforts made by the organisers for producing a tournament that has reshaped basketball in the country. He built on what Bowman had stressed on, that being that the tournament has produced some excellent talents that utilized the tournament as a stepping stone and a platform to excel.
The tournament is set to commence with the regional format whereby the teams will be divided into four conferences which are New Amsterdam, Corentyne, Region 10 and Georgetown Combined and the winners from each zone will then converge in Georgetown for the Festival in July.
