Former president of the Georgetown Amateur Basket-ball Association (GA-BA) David Patterson will preside over the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) following the recent death of Godwin McPherson.

David Patterson

Patterson yesterday told Stabroek Sport that the constitution, which was ratified in 2005, clearly spells out that in the absence of the president, the first vice- president of operations will preside over the activities of the federation.

He said that executive members of the federation held a brief meeting on Sunday and it was decided that according to the constitution, he, Patterson, would act as president of the GABF until such time that an annual general meeting is called for the election of office bearers.

Article 14B of the GABF constitution states: “The President shall preside at all general meetings, general council meetings and executive committee meetings of the federation. In the absence of the president the vice-president operations shall preside at the above-mentioned meetings.”

Patterson said that elections of the GABF were constitutionally due this year.

“Unfortunately the time has slipped by as elections were due in February – May the latest,” Patterson said.

He disclosed that as such that part of the constitution would have to be suspended and a motion moved which would authorize the staging of the elections.

“I will most likely have to move that motion,” Patterson said.

In the meantime, Patterson said he plans to continue with the existing programmes of the GABF.

“All our existing programmes will be continued. We have to officially certify the two new referees (FIBA accredited). We have received the official certificates with official notification from FIBA (International Basket-ball Federation),” he added.

The referees are  former Caricom All Star guard Lugard Mohan and Aubrey Younge.

Patterson also spoke of a decision by the Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, to exclude the GABF from a proposed meeting on Monday with presidents of two sub-associations of the GABF.

“It is extremely disappointing to hear the Director of Sport making comments about elections within the GABF.

“That is an extremely unusual move from a state sports administrator. There is always due process and even though he may have concerns those concerns should be conveyed through the proper channels and the Director of Sport should not be making preemptive moves within the federation.

“While as a federation we do welcome the government’s assistance and support we obviously cannot condone or approve the manner in which the Director of Sport is conveying his support for the basketball federation,” said Patterson.