After recognising the dormant state of basketball in the capital city, the Pepsi Sonics Basketball Club aims to reenergise players and fans with their annual tournament which is dubbed Pepsi Sonics ‘Refresh your game’ basketball competition which begins next Friday at the Burnham Basketball Court.
President of the Pepsi Sonics Basketball Club Merle Chalmers-Casey said yesterday that her club decided to host this event for yet another year especially at this time when there is not much activity in the sport.
Speaking to members of the media at yesterday’s launching, Chalmers-Casey stated:“Pepsi Sonics Basketball Club has recognised that basketball is at its lowest at this point in time.”
The former national female player said that the tournament is an attempt to reverse this trend, while restoring confidence in the clubs and rekindling the interest of the sport to players and fans.
According to Chalmers-Casey, the tournament, which will be held on the Burnham Basketball Court, will include the participation of all the top clubs affiliated to the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) in both the first and third division categories.
Teams in the first division category will be competing for a total of G$265,000., with the winner being offered $100,000, second place finishers $50,000 while third place finishers will have a chance to pocket $35,000. Cash incentives are only offered to division one teams, while third division winners and top performer will receive trophies.
Alexis Langhorne, Sales Manager of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL)-the local distributors of Pepsi- said that her establishment has been associated with Sonics for close to 10 years. Langhorne also said that DDL was pleased to once again to be associated with the team since they have successfully staged similar tournaments in the past.
This year the tournament will be sponsored under the Gatorade and Pepsi brands and according to Langhorne, players will be rehydrated with Gatorade during games.
The tournament will be played on Friday evenings beginning at 1900hrs, Saturdays from 1700hrs and Sundays from 1700hrs as well. Chalmers-Casey also implored the relevant authorities to refurbish and establish more playing facilities in an effort to restore the sport to its former glory. Nevertheless, Chalmers-Casey said that she was confident that playing on the out Burnham Basketball Court will not be a hindrance to the competition.
During the competition, organisers also intend to pay tribute to former president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation retired Colonel Godwin McPherson who died just over three years ago.
