With the deadline for registration set for January 31st, 21 teams have confirmed their participation in the impending Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) U23 League, according to Vice President of the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) Jermaine Slater.
According to Slater, who also holds the portfolio of Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association chief, teams have registered from Georgetown, Kwakwani, Linden, Bartica, Berbice, East Coast Demerara, and the West Coast of Demerara. Nine teams [nine male] from Georgetown have confirmed their participation, while four entrants [three male, one female] have been confirmed from Linden. Two teams from Kwakwani [one male, one female] and Berbice [male] have submitted registration forms, while East Coast Demerara will be represented by two teams [female]. Bartica and Berbice have signed up one team [male] apiece.
Slater explained, “For me and the federation in general, we know that in order for Guyana basketball to improve, the youths have to improve, so this is just a step in that direction; this will show us the young talent we have that is interested in getting better, and we will be able to create developmental programmes around them.”
He further said, “I’ve realised lately that the fundamentals of the game are dwindling, and it’s better to teach them to the youth than wait until they’re old and try to teach them then. They will also have the opportunity to be scouted. The James brothers and their Hope Foundation are always looking for exceptional young talent from Guyana to assist overseas, so this U23 League will help them to see the potential we have here and have them join the other two players that their foundation is already helping over in the USA. Basketball can do better and will do better with the focus being placed primarily on the youth.”
According to Slater, “Apart from preparing to defend Guyana’s CBC 2018 title this year, we will be more youth-focused for 2024. Our programmes will focus mainly on developing our young players because they are indeed the future. This under-23 league is just the start of our plans, which will involve assisting the National Sports Commission with their youth academy, school basketball tournaments, and community basketball events.”
