Bequia Basketball tourney bounces off

The Annual Bequia Basketball Tournament bounced off at the Clive Tannis Hard Court this past Saturday night, July 14th, with thirteen teams registered to take part, in the first, second and Under 16 Divisions.{{more}}

The inspection of teams saw second Division Liberty adjudged the best dressed team and awarded a fabulous cake for their emerald green and gold design. The tournament, now in its ninth season runs until September 9th with games every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday night.

The evening was also the ribbon cutting and official opening the Association’s Administrative office at the hard court, with the Association’s President, Sabrina Mitchell giving the dedication for the building. Bequia’s overseas based college player, Shawn King, home on a brief two week holiday played for his old team Duke in the feature match of the evening against the 2006 Defending Champions Rising Stars, defeating them 75 to 52.

The Opening Ceremony was an auspicious occasion with a feature address by Rannie Gregg Chairman of the National Sports Council Sports Management Committee who congratulated the Bequia Association, as the best organized sporting body in Bequia, for their 9th season of good organization and professionalism. He encouraged the players to be well disciplined, and to give their support to the Executive body, and referees and officials for the duration of the tournament.

The Ceremony was also addressed by the Hon. Dr. Godwin Friday, parliamentary representative for the Northern Grenadines who offered high praise for Bequia Basketball and the committed members of the Executive committee, and the persons working behind the scenes to make the tournament a success year after year. He encouraged the community to continue to support their efforts, and wished all the teams well.

Herman Belmar, Deputy Director of Grenadines Affairs also gave greetings, and warm congratulations to the Bequia Association for the leadership role it is taking in the community. He spoke highly of Sabrina Mitchell and the formidable role she plays in the development of sports in Bequia.

He gave special recognition to the President’s family whose husband is a coach and very involved in basketball, as well as their children Ondine and Ella Mitchell Sutton, who played both the National Anthem and other interludes on steel pan during the Opening. Sabrina Mitchell also spoke, congratulating Coach Annette King whose youth coaching programme is was responsible for registering 4 youth teams in the competition. She spoke of the success of basketball in Bequia, and the growth of the game as being a collective effort, as many senior players play a dynamic role in the game administration either as referees, coaches, team managers or Executive members. She gave the Association’s commitment once again to the development of the young players by sponsoring their uniforms.

The ceremony concluded with the Official Dedication of the new $20,000 office financed by Sabrina Mitchell and funds raised from basketball events.

The new air conditioned office is outfitted with computer, fax, wireless high speed internet, a coaches and referee library, first aid centre, and a home for the Association’s expensive electronic equipment, all protected with a high tech security alarm system. Mitchell dedicated the office to the people of Bequia, for the advancement of all hard court disciplines on the island.