Dear Editor,
The Club Championship basketball game on March 22 failed to produce a victor because players first on one team, and then on the other, walked off the court.
As a long-time friend of and sometimes participant as an internationally licensed FIBA official in Guyana basketball, I am distressed by the events that prevented the game from being completed. In my lengthy conversations with members of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation and its affiliates, I have gathered sufficient information to comment. I do so in the hope that such an unsatisfactory conclusion can be avoided in the future.
First, it is clear to me that no matter how controversial a referee’s call may be, the withdrawal of a team from the play of the game is unacceptable. It is an act of disrespect to the game and the institutions that support it. There are channels that are available for teams and players to register their protests. But failing to play is not an acceptable form of protest and cannot be tolerated.
Second, since the failure to continue to play is a flagrant act of contempt for the sport, the referees should have ended the game, and declared the team that remained on the court the victor of a forfeited contest. Once it was clear that one team made it impossible for the game to be resumed by walking off the court, the referee should have forfeited the game.
Third, since the referees erred in not declaring a forfeit, much of the action that ensued thereafter, including the issuing of technical fouls and awarding of foul shots, should be considered moot. None of that should have been implemented.
Fourth, in the interest of the integrity of the sport in Guyana, the Championship Game should be rescheduled. The game should be played in its entirety. No effort should be made to pick up the uncompleted game at its point of disruption. A full game is the only way to determine the better team and the rightful champion.
Fifth and finally, this event demonstrates that all participants, but particularly the players, showed a shocking disrespect for basketball. There is no basketball without support for the rules and institutions that sustain and promote the sport. Bringing disrespect to the sport, as this event did, threatens basketball in Guyana. All involved should work together to ensure a resolution to this unfortunate situation – showing the good will to support the sport they all love.
Yours faithfully,
Jay R Mandle
