YBG schoolboys set for international test in St Maarten

Youth Basketball Guyana’s (YBG) Under-15 School Boys Select Team will represent the organisation and Guyana at the Paradise International Basketball Tournament in St Maarten, scheduled for October 3–7, 2026.

The 11-member squad comprises promising student-athletes from seven schools that competed in this year’s National School Basketball Festival (NSBF). The tournament will give the players international experience while helping YBG assess the standard of junior basketball in this part of the Caribbean.
Head Coach Warren Wilson leads the team, with support from Assistant Coaches Judah Stephney and Calix Bernard. Leona Kyte is the team chaperone, while Chris Bowman serves as team manager.
The players have completed several weeks of intensive training and preparation. According to YBG, bringing together boys from different schools and communities has also helped build friendships, unity and a shared sense of purpose.
The organisation hopes the tour will become a model for regular overseas opportunities at an important stage of player development. Its broader aim is to establish a dependable grassroots system that uses basketball to develop character and create opportunities beyond competition.
However, preparations included a late travel concern involving five members of the delegation. A day before departure, their passports and visas had not yet been returned following processing by the Netherlands authorities in Paramaribo.
YBG credited Ambassador Depoo, Elizabeth Haylings and the team at the Guyana Embassy in Suriname with helping resolve the situation, allowing the affected boys and coach to make the journey with the rest of the delegation.
The organisation also acknowledged the financial and practical support that made the tour possible, led by principal partner G-Boats Guyana. The company committed to providing almost half of the tour’s budget after the proposal for an overseas youth trip was shared.
YBG said G-Boats remains an important development partner, supporting competitions, coaching and player development, with international exposure now added to that contribution. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport also provided financial assistance towards the team’s participation.
Parents and their wider networks played a significant role, with some extending their support beyond their own children to assist the entire team. YBG singled out Mr and Mrs Hillaire, Oslyn Richards and James Singh for their contributions.
Further assistance came through a fundraising barbecue, donations and other support. YBG thanked the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force for help with transportation to the airport and the management of the Royal Hotel for allowing the team to use its facilities ahead of departure.
While the players will seek strong performances in St Maarten, YBG said its measure of success extends beyond victories and championships. The organisation views the experience as another opportunity to help young people succeed on and off the court while representing their schools, YBG and Guyana.