YBG launches second Regional Conference

Apr 12, 2012 Sports

– ahead of seventh edition of NSBF

By Juanita Hooper
Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) launched the second edition of its Regional Conference at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall yesterday with Coordinator, Chris Bowman stating that the National
Schools’ Basketball Festival (NSBF) is necessary to preserve the game.
Bowman disclosed that he was extremely grateful for the support YBG has received since it was formed. The YBG Coordinator was speaking in the presence of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, Director of Sport, Neil Kumar and sponsors.
“Basketball in Guyana will not have a future if YBG does not preserve the heritage of the game. Sports in Guyana will not have a future if we do not make intentional, long term investments in school sports,”

Coordinator of the National School Basketball Festival, Chris Bowman addressing the media in the presence of the sponsors, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dr. Frank Anthony (centre) and Director of Sports, Neil Kumar ( 1st right).

Bowman said, adding that children are the future.
Anthony, in his remarks, stated that he is pleased to attend YBG events as they always present a high level of individual creativity. The minister said that the Regional Tournament will be a key factor in identifying new talent in the sport.
“We can harvest these talents so one day they can represent our country,” Anthony said, adding that the Ministry will looking to develop school sports generally. He commended Bowman for sustaining and maintaining the event on an annual basis.
The NSBF started in 2006 with just a few teams competing for supremacy. However, the event has grown to the extent that YBG was forced to conduct regional competitions (conferences) so that the best teams will ultimately clash for the title in the NSBF.
Anthony, who sees the tournament as a positive venture, urged the corporate citizens of Guyana to be involved in sport activities; “one of the only ways we can effectively teach physical literacy is to go back to our school system,” the minister told the gathering.
Digicel’s Sponsorship Manager, Gavin Hope stated that history has shown that Digicel is always involved in sports, especially school sports. He promised to continue supporting YBG, and other sport organisations that are willing to develop sports at the grassroots level.
Hope said that the aims of YBG “jumped out at him” and mentioning the growth that Digicel has noticed in the tournament.
Banks DIH Representative, Jenifer Khan revealed that the company is sponsoring the tournament for the seventh year. Khan stated that it was a pleasure to see students enjoying healthy sport and urged parents to support their children in the tournament.
The occasion also had representatives from Edward B. Beharry which is also among the sponsors of the event under its Champion brand. Ashim Alley who spoke on behalf of the company, stated that it is important that the children follow their dreams in sports.
The goals of the tournament are to develop and maintain a well-coordinated national schools basketball championship for boys and girls; to improve on the existing basketball infrastructure in schools and communities across Guyana; to encourage physical and mental wellness through youth sport and to emphasize leadership, citizenship, scholarship and athletic excellence in young.