New York registered group Hearts of Linden, will host their annual ‘Best of the Ward’ basketball competition this afternoon at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court.
The event, which bounces off at 16:00 hours will see Amelia’s Ward community based players competing in both the junior and senior category as well as in other exhibition events; slam dunk and three-point shootout.
Amelia’s Ward is home to the “Jets” Linden’s top basketball club as well as several other players from other teams in the mining community.
“This is actually the third year the event is being held but the first time it’s falling under the Hearts of Linden Group,” said Rawle Toney; the Hearts of Linden spokesperson and founder member.
“The teams are split in two; The Back Scheme and Front Scheme and they will go head-to-head.”
According to Toney, the group comprises of himself, Odley Alleyne (whose idea it was to form the group), Tenicia Davids, Tamika Henry, Owusu Fraser and Sean ‘Black Sheep’ Charles, all of whom reside in New York and share one common goal which is to help develop Linden through sports, Entertainment and Education.
“We actually came together while at a regular outing in NY last summer and we became even more eager to bring our dreams to fruition after the protest last year. Our first project was a fund raiser to help rebuild One-Mile Primary School that was destroyed by fire, then we did a back-to-school drive where persons donated one back-pack filled with school supplies,” Toney mentioned.
“What is heartening is that everything we do is a reflection of the willingness shown by overseas Guyanese to give back to the Linden community. So everything happening on Saturday is a result of what they have given.”
Trophies will be awarded to the winners of the respective categories and the exhibition events while runners-up will receive medals.
Patrons are also in for a treat since several prizes will be given away during various fan interaction events planned.
The group would like to thank the 108 and Liberty Crew, Rockclife Joseph, Linden ‘Sancho’ Alphanso, Er
rol Hinds, Travis Williams and all the guys that would normally gather regularly to play the usual Sunday morning pick-up games in Brooklyn and Queens, too numerous to mention.
