By Floyd Christie
President of the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) Kirk Fraser is pushing the development of basketball in Berbice.
Fraser, who was recently appointed to a four-man technical committee mandated to select and coach players for an upcoming international series in Guyana, has dedicated himself to moving the sport up the floor once more.
“Nothing really happens for Berbice basketball. We try, but we’re not like Linden and Georgetown that have major sponsors that are readily willing to come on board, he told Stabroek Sport in a telephone interview on Thursday.
Fraser noted that basketball in the Ancient County has been on the backburner for some time.
He added that even though competitions may not be as prevalent or as publicized as those in Georgetown and Linden, basketball was being played in New Amsterdam.
Fraser said in many instances when competitions are held the tournaments are financed with money…”out of my own pocket.”
Fraser has also been selected to attend the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Children of the World Camp in Istanbul, Turkey, from August 24-31.
According to the BABA president, earlier this earlier the association hosted Linden’s Kashif and Shanghai Kings for a floodlight game against a senior New Amsterdam team.
“We invited them here to play, we hosted and accommodated them and that money along with the cost of renting the lights had to come out of my own pocket,” Fraser said.
Fraser is also looking towards the future and directs a ‘Teach Them Young’ programme every summer in New Amsterdam for youths who wish to learn the sport or develop their skills.
Fraser said the programmes have benefited several young players such as Courts Pacesetters third division player Richard Mohandatt.
One of the few sponsored events is the
ANSA McAL-sponsored Club Championships.
According to Fraser, the event, which will kick start the BABA senior league, is expected to be bigger and better this year as the sponsors “are going to pump more money into it.”
The Club Championships are scheduled to begin at a date to be announced shortly.
Also on the itinerary is the launching of the under-21 junior programme and BABA officials will meet on Sunday to finalize the specifics, said Fraser.
Currently the New Amsterdam Schools’ Basketball Championships, coordinated by Fraser, have reached the finals stage and, although it started late, Fraser said he expects the tournament to conclude before he leaves for Turkey.
Fraser will accompany male and female junior players Andrew Williams and Kayla Brusche at the Children of the Word Youth Camp, a social event for youths balancing basketball, education and culture.
