President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds said the federation is currently engaged in trying to get teams from Suriname and/or Trinidad to participate along with the confirmed Bermuda national side in the upcoming international series in March 2015.
The Bermuda senior men’s side has accepted Guyana’s invitation to participate in a three match international series on local shores next year. These fixtures are scheduled to be held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall venue.
Speaking exclusively with Stabroek Sports, Hinds said: “We are working on having Suriname and/or Trinidad teams as part of the Mid-March Basketball International Series. We are seeking to have Suriname send a female contingent as a priority.”
Asked if overseas-based players will be invited to be a part of the team, Hinds said: “The team will primarily consist of local players with a maximum of two overseas-based players as we are working on giving our local-based players the confidence needed when they participate in the international tournaments.”
He added: “The 2015 CBC will be held in BVI from June 7-19, 2015. A full contingent of overseas players will be invited to take part in the national trials from the beginning of June for the CBC Championships.”
Questioned about the current status of the suspended senior players, Hinds declared that local-based players Shelroy Thomas, Shane Webster, Akeem Kanhai and Ryan Stephney are the only players no longer suspended, due to them returning their uniforms and paying their respective fines. He noted that the team uniforms have been returned by all the players except Rawle Marshall, Dwayne Roberts, Andrew Ifill and Andrew De Florimonte while adding “Ryan Gullen has paid part of his fine and is expected to pay the balance shortly. DC Jammers are working with Gordon Klaiber and Keron McKenzie to have their fines paid.
“Regarding the officials who participated in the basketball component of the Guiana Games; five officials were fined $10,000 each with the proceeds going to Guyana Basketball Officials Council (GBOC).
“The fees will be deducted from the pay of the officials and be retained by GBOC for the strengthening of GBOC. The officials fined are Aubrey Young, Rawle Toney, Warren Wilson, Mark Trim and Leona Kyte. The suspension of Ms. Ann Gordon and Mr. Willon Cameron is still in force and will be settled at the next meeting of the GABF,” said Hinds.
