Junior Hercules, Head-coach of the senior men’s national basketball team, says that the management team is ready to commence training for the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers once given the approval from the National Covid-19 Task Force.
Hercules made the disclosure in an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sports.
The Plaisance Guardians lead tactician declared, “I am prepared to commence training for a minimum of two days per week, preferably Saturdays and Sundays at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. During the following week, I will officially notify the shortlisted players of the time for training.”
The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABAF) was dealt a severe blow ahead of their expected participation at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Pre-Qualifiers in March, as their request to commence preparation was denied by the National Covid-19 Taskforce.
According to the official correspondence, which was dated December 8th and signed by the Director of the National Covid-19 Task Force Colonel Nazrul Hussain, approval was denied under the current Covid-19 Emergency Measures.
The letter stated, “I hereby acknowledge receipt of your request dates November 25th 2020 for the
commencement of basketball training. I am to inform you that the Minister of Health has not approved for the recommencement of Basketball activities under the current Covid-19 Emergency Measures (No.12). These events will have to be rescheduled to a time when the measures permit.”
According to Hercules, a systematic training plan has been formulated for by the management team to prepare for the prestigious championship. He noted that physical conditioning and basketball mental cognizance will be among the areas targeted during the preparatory period.
“Yes I have created a training plan, which involves conditioning and basketball awareness and mental toughness. Our defensive aptitude which in the grand scheme of our system, will be worked on as well”, he added.
The GABF has officially released their first provisional list of players for national team training. The 13 member provisional roster is headed by CBC winning captain Stanton Rose and features both local and overseas based players in the form of Travis Belgrave, Travis Burnett, Akeem Crandon, Delroy James, Anthony Moe, Nikkoloi Smith, Yannick Tappin, Timothy Thompson, Ray Victor, Shaine Webster, Terron Welch and Kevon Wiggins.
Alex Graham has been confirmed as the Team Manager. The Assistant Coach is yet to be identified for the prestigious qualifier.
