The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has officially suspended and fined 12 senior male players and a female competitor for their off court misconduct during the recently held Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships in British Virgin Islands.
GABF President Nigel Hinds during an invited comment said:“It is the feeling of the GABF and we cannot condone indiscipline and this is the action we took. We believe it will give the younger players and the basketball community a sense that the GABF is not only trying to develop the sport but not tolerate lawless behavior.”
The male suspended players are Rawle Marshall, Andrew Ifill, Dwayne Roberts, Shane Webster, Ryan Gullen, Andre De Florimonte, Keron McKenzie, Gordon Klaiber, Ryan Stephany, Akeem Kanhai, Shelroy Thomas and Ray Victor. The lone female player suspended is Necosia Mitchell. The suspensions and fines of the male players by the GABF was due to the alleged refusal of the players to return their team uniforms and warm-up suits upon the request by the federation management.
On the distaff side, the female player was suspended for supposedly making false statements to her coach Ann Gordon.
All suspensions and fines are to take effect from today and will be in effect until the fines are fully paid, the uniforms are returned in good condition to the GABF and/or the suspension period expires. All fines are payable to the GABF.
In an official correspondence following their monthly Ordinary Meeting held at the Cara Lodge on Saturday, the GABF executive inclusive of President Hinds and Vice-Presidents Michael Singh, Kenrick Thomas and Haslyn Graham unanimously agreed on the sanctions for the players.
Excerpts from the aforementioned correspondence said:“Andrew Ifill, Dwayne Roberts and Rawle Marshall played leading roles in usurping the authority of management and refused to return any uniforms. These players were each suspended for one year and each fined $80,000; these players will not be allowed to participate in any tournament, clinic, or tour held or approved by the GABF or its members until the fine is fully paid and the uniforms are returned to the GABF in good condition or the GABF is compensated for the uniforms. Failure to return the uniforms by February 1, 2015 results in an additional fine of $70,000 being reimbursement for the uniforms.
“Shane Webster, Ryan Gullen, Andre De Florimonte, Keron McKenzie and Gordon Klaiber are players who refused to return any of the uniforms and were fined $40,000 each; these players will not be allowed to participate in any tournament, clinic, or tour held or approved by the GABF or its members until the fine is fully paid and the uniforms are returned to the GABF in good condition or the GABF is compensated for the uniforms. Failure to return the uniforms by February 1, 2015 results in an additional fine of $70,000 being reimbursement for the uniforms.
“Ryan Stephany, who returned all the GABF gear except the white uniforms was fined $30,000; Mr. Stephany will not be allowed to participate in any tournament, clinic, or tour held or approved by the GABF or its members until the fine is fully paid and the uniforms returned to the GABF in good condition or the GABF is compensated for the uniforms. Failure to return the uniform by February 1, 2015 results in an additional fine of $25,000 being reimbursement for the uniforms,” stated the release.
According to the correspondence:“The three players who eventually returned all the team uniforms, namely: Shelroy Thomas, Akeem Kanhai and Ray Victor were each fined $20,000 each. These players will not be allowed to participate in any tournament, clinic, or tour held or approved by the GABF or its members until the fine is fully paid.
“On the distaff side, GABF has instituted a six months ban effective from July 28, 2014 on Ms. Necosia Mitchell for knowingly making false statements to her coach Ms. Ann Gordon that impacted the composition of the Guyana Women’s Team that participated in the 2014 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships held in Tortola, BVI,” the GABF release stated.
