Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) president David Patterson said yesterday that he will not be seeking re-election at the upcoming Annual General Meeting to be held on Saturday at the Olympic House, Kingston, from 15:00hrs.
Speaking via telephone in an exclusive interview, Patterson said: “I have indicated that I won’t be running because I have decided that I will be concentrating on my other commitments.”
Questioned about the number of associations that are eligible to vote, Patterson said… “There are six full associations which total 12 votes and all are eligible to vote. Our constitution states that as long as you are a full member you are eligible.”
He stated that the six eligible associations are Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA), Berbice Amateur Basketball Association (BABA), Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), Women’s Basketball Association, Masters Association and the Guyana Basketball Officials Council (GBOC).
According to the GABF boss, eight positions inclusive of president, vice president- operations, vice president- discipline, vice president-public relations, general secretary, treasurer, assistant secretary/treasurer and technical officer will be up for contention at the upcoming elections.
Asked to describe his tenure, Patterson said: “There were ups and downs and some successes but all in all basketball is still here. Always you wish you could have done more but given the circumstances and environment, I made a credible showing.
“I have been in basketball for a number of years. This is just a temporary absence from an executive position and I will always be in basketball,” added Patterson.
Quizzed as to what needs to be done by the new administration going forward, Patterson noted… “One of immediate priorities of the new administration is to have a male and female team preparing for the Caribbean Basketball Championships.
“There is need for more involvement of the clubs in terms of the running of basketball. Technical assistance for the clubs also needs to be more structured and we need to start working towards building clubs administratively.”
Currently, GABA President Michael Singh and former basketball player and accountant Nigel Hinds have indicated their desire to contest for the post of president the federation.
