Afterschool Basketball Programe sees increase in participants

The Afterschool Basketball Programme organised by the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) has seen a drastic increase in the number of participants attending the programme.

This was disclosed by Secretary of GABA and co-ordinator of the programme, Robert Cadogan.

Youths participating in the Afterschool Basketball Programme go through pivoting routines on Tuesday afternoon at the National Gymnasium (Orlando Charles Photo).

Cadogan told Stabroek Sport on Tuesday that the number of students in attendance has risen from about 20 participants which the programme began with on January 10 to about 60 participants currently.

“Word is getting around about the programme and teachers even came in and enquired about the programme, so it’s gaining momentum,” said Cadogan.The programme is now in its second week and Cadogan noted that though they are still working on the basics of basketball, they will be moving to other stages of the game soon.

“Everything is done in stages, we are trying to get them to like the game and give them basic knowledge of what the game entails… As we go along we will step up and intensify our training,” he  explained. However, he noted that this week the coaches will include more drills. “We are seeing how they are progressing and as they get more comfortable we will move on,” said Cadogan.

He explained that the practice routines the students covered during the first week of the programme would have prepared them for the more physical training that is to come.

“Last week we did single drills, where the kids were exposed to one drill at a time, but this week we will look at more combined drills.

“For example, if we looked at dribbling last week, we will now focus on dribbling and passing or dribbling and then laying-up,” Cadogan explained.