With sponsorship being one of the major stumbling blocks in 2011, the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association still had some success in the foregoing year according to its President Kirk Fraser.
Speaking to Kaieteur Sport, Fraser said that the year 2011 was a very challenging one for the association, especially in the area of sponsorship. Sponsorship was hard to come by as such they were not able to do as much as they had planned. However, according to Fraser, who is also a coach, they were still able to pull off some tournaments.
There are four active clubs in Berbice at the moment that participates in tournaments, namely New Amsterdam Warriors, Smythfield Rockers, Fyrish Fire hawks and Rose Hall Panthers.
A few tournaments were held including the Mashramani 2011 interclub tournament and the annual summer event which was held in August. Both tournaments were won by the New Amsterdam Warriors Basketball Club.
Two teams from the Association reached the semifinal of the Ansa McAl 3-3 countrywide basketball tournament, while the Association hosted two teams, an U19 and U16 team from Kwakwani for tournaments against New Amsterdam select sides.
A number of players, both seniors and juniors participated in the national competition in Georgetown, while some schools also took part in the national school tournament. The Association also held its Annual Summer Camp which attracted both male and female participants.
High on the agenda for this year is the holding of the Annual General Meeting which is scheduled for the Month of February. The present executive is made up of Kirk Fraser President, Pinky Author vice president, Saskia Cort Secretary, Michael Fullington Treasurer. The committee members are Carlos Crandon, Emon Wiggins, Rayel Franklin and Linden Joseph.
For 2012 the association in collaboration with the Berbice High School plans to get cracking with an inter school two-day competition which is slated to be held on the 16th and 17th of February at the Vryman’s Erven Court.
The next activity on the calendar is the annual inter club Mashramani tournament scheduled for February 18th and 19th. Another senior inter club tournament is scheduled for May, with the annual Summer camp once again scheduled for the July/August period, while an U19 tournament is on the cards for September. Other tournaments will be incorporated if sponsorship materialise.
Fraser would like to thank his executives and all those who assisted throughout the year. He is however calling on the business sector and likeminded persons to come forward and assist the association in making 2012 a better year and to help keep the youths off the streets and gainfully occupied.