Bowman optimistic as NSBF draws near

…grateful to sponsors who have invested in programme

By Timothy Jaikarran

Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) will be hosting its National School Basketball Festival from July 1-10, 2022, and YBG co-founder Chris Bowman is excited as the event draws closer.
He has said he is extremely grateful to the sponsors who have invested in the programme over the years.

The first National School Basketball Festival was played from June 26-30, 2006, and involved 18 schools in a single elimination tournament. From its inception, the NSBF has been a partnership between Youth Basketball Guyana and stakeholders to develop a structured National School Basketball Championship.
Over the last 12 years, the programme has grown significantly, and now includes regional (ZONE) tournaments in order to qualify for the National Championship. National titles are contested in the categories of under-14, -16, -18 (change from 19) and Girls Developmental.
According to Bowman, fans can expect the NSBF to have competition ranging from ages 14-16, under-18 and Girls’ Division. Bowman also said, “We are excited about this year’s festival. It’s going to be the 15th year, and a lot of special things will happen, which we will put out at the appropriate time. So there is a lot to look forward to, both locally and within the region, and of course nationally, for the festival.
“As I mentioned, those persons that are doing CSEC should not fear that they would have to compromise, as they would start until July, as we would be focusing on other developments, such as the 14-16 and developmental schools. So those are the ones that we are looking at, those ones that we can bring up to the level so they can compete at the festival. That is the big thing that everyone should look forward to.”

Bowman also went on to state that, in terms of the sponsors, nothing would be possible without the support of consistent partners. He made mention that for the past twelve years, YBG has had Edward B Beharry & Company as a key cornerstone partner, as the company would also continue to be with YBG for 2022.

He relayed that as of recent, ExxonMobil and G Boat have come on board the initiative, playing their part in elevating the game and youth development at the grassroots level. Through these developments, Bowman explained, there is aid in leadership development: assisting players with discipline, teaching them life skills, and helping them with educational intervention, among other things.
“This year, in fact, we are introducing a student athlete study hall that will assist those students who are in fourth and fifth form in terms of free tutoring for their upcoming exams. We are able to do these things inside the structure, whether it be the tournament structure such as the NSBF, TBL or YBG Academy Camp.
“But what those structures help us to do is to help address young people and to assist them in their development and aspirations. So, that is what the sponsors are able to assist us in doing; so, of course, we are grateful to our sponsors such as the National Sports Commission, Exon Mobil, G Boat, who have been committed to YBG,” Bowman explained.
The tournament is also used to identify players for the YBG Developmental Programme, which serves as a prep for selection to junior national teams.