Former national basketball player Aubrey Chalmers is lamenting the absence of proper fundamentals by t young and up and coming basketball players.
Chalmers made the observation yesterday while conducting a coaching session at the National Gymnasium for the annual Pepsi Sonics Easter Basketball fundamentals clinic.
The clinic, which kicked off on March 25 continued yesterday at the National Gymnasium.
The inaugural event was held in 2008 and was held annually until 2010 when lack of sponsorship caused the clinic to be discontinued.
Former national female player Merle Chalmers, who is also the president of the Pepsi Sonics Basketball Club, yesterday said that the aim of the clinic is to teach the fundamentals of the sport to young, aspiring basketball players.
“The clinic is aimed at the young generation in Guyana and it is hoped that entities will come out and assist with sponsoring the endeavors of the Pepsi Sonics,” said Chalmers.
Chalmers added that a potential one-day U16 competition is in the making later this month among teams from Kwakwani, the East Coast of Demerara and Georgetown.
The tournament is tentatively scheduled for April 27 but Chalmers said t sponsorship is needed to assist in facilitating the other teams.
Aubrey Chalmers, who resides in Canada but periodically visits Guyana to assist in the development of the clinic and the young talented players who attend said:“Children are the future and education is the key, sports without a proper education is not fruitful.
Chalmers, who represented Guyana at basketball while still only a teenager, also attended Christ Church Secondary School and played for the Black Birds basketball club. ”My goals are to provide a basic learning and likeness of the game. Also to allow young players to have fun.
“As a former player, I was not that fortunate to have a mentor who invested time into me. I see basketball has risen to a high standard in Guyana but the fundamental aspects are lacking.
“I’m in better position to assist and share knowledge of the game and I’m going to pass that on to the future of this country so they can pass it on to others,” he declared.
According to Chalmers, some businesses back home had indicated that they want to be a part of the movement and they will come onboard for next year’s clinic.
The Pepsi Sonic officials are at the National Gymnasium on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 17:00hrs and anyone interested in supporting this endeavor can contact Merle Chalmers on cell phone number 618-0132.
