Dear Editor,
I was told that with great power comes great responsibility. As a basketball ambassador and coach I am inclined to recognize the following organizations for their contribution to basketball specifically during 2013. The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation for affording me and other aspiring coaches the opportunity to be exposed to the FIBA level two coaching certification course held in October. While the turnout was less than perfect I was delighted to be a part of this wonderful experience. Outside of everything learnt at the sessions, I recognize the importance placed on planning, discipline and passion as prerequisites for development of this wonderful sport.
The second organization is the Youth Basketball Guyana for the opportunity given to students of various schools. I do believe the concept captured by this organization is fundamental for basketball in Guyana. School basketball sets the stage for the direction of future professional basketball players and inculcates a sense of discipline in these youngsters. For this, we ought to thank Youth Basketball Guyana.
The third organization is the Guyana Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) for keeping club basketball alive in this challenging time. I am impressed by the resilience and effort demonstrated by GABA towards keeping the sport of basketball active at the club level. Finally Ansa McAl for lending corporate support through sponsorship for almost all basketball tournaments. While there are other corporations that contributed throughout the year, I believe Ansa McAl has led the way through its financial support to the sport.
The burning question for most basketball fans, enthusiasts, coaches and players is: Why is basketball in a state of decline in terms of support, interest and participation? I believe synergy on the part of the fraternity and administrators is absent from this lovely sport. My recommendation for positive change is, let us put aside egos, personal ambition and more importantly our differences and get to work by talking and agreeing on putting basketball first and self, second. People don’t care how much you know, until they see how much you care. If basketball success is about results and relationship, we will have to take a few rational risks along the way.
As a coach, I always tell my players: “Effective communication and trust is necessary for success.” In closing, members of the fraternity should be willing to embrace the acronym of Serve: See the Future; Engage and Develop Others; Reinvent Continuously; Value Results and Relationship; and Embody Values. They should be prepared to serve or walk away; it’s that simple.
Yours faithfully,
Junior Andrew Hercules
Coach of the Plaisance
Guardians Basketball Club
