National Basketball Tournament is back

Years after private entities stood in the gap to stage invitational 5 vs 5 competitions, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Basketball Federation(SVGBF) has once again taken the lead and is staging the National Basketball Tournament. Despite the deficiencies of the basketball facility at New Montrose, the tournament had its formal opening last Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Seven teams: Advent Ballers; Bequia Eagles; Heat Seekers; Northern Boyz; Playaz Youth Academy 1 and 2; along with Sion Hill Pacers are listed to be part of the comeback year of a full-fledged National Basketball tournament.

However, the restart was one of struggle as disclosed by President of the SVGBF Suzette Jackson, as she spoke at last Saturday’s brief opening ceremony.

Underscoring the immense input of the executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee, Jackson informed those in attendance that, “There is a lot of struggle in terms of resources- both human and financial. Notwithstanding that, I want to applaud the St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee. They have been behind us all these years; they have provided us with allocations that we can source not only equipment, balls, upright, but they are also responsible for this tournament.”

Meanwhile, Sabrina Mitchell, who spoke in her capacity as FIBA Americas Board Member, and General Secretary of the Central America and Caribbean Basketball Confederation( CONCENCABA), lauded Jackson and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic Committee for their tenacity in realizing the staging of the tournament despite the poor state of the facility.

Mitchell highlighted that the lack of facilities is hindering the growth of the sport.

“ When I look around and I see players with talent, beautiful locations for courts, opportunities for international teams to come here and all the contacts that I have- it is just wasting,” Mitchell pointed out.

“ We simply just do not have the facilities. This is not an opinion of Sabrina Mitchell, this is a fact, and this is not good enough, and it needs to change because we deserve better.”

Fans got an early glimpse of the talents of the teams that will vie for the title, as Heat Seekers edged out Sion Hill Pacers, 43-40 in an exhibition match.

The tournament begins in earnest today, Friday November 7,2025, with Sion Hill Pacers taking on Playaz Youth Academy-Two from 5:30 p.m; thereafter, Bequia Eagles come up against Heat Seekers from 7: 00 p.m.

Sunday’s fixtures pit Bequia Eagles and Northen Boys against each other from 5:30 p.m; and Playaz Youth Academy-Two meet Advent Ballers from 7:00 p.m.

All matches are set for the New Montrose Basketball Facility.