Cliff Anderson Sports Hall will meet FIFA/CBC requirements in time for Youth Caribbean Championships – Jones
By Rawle Toney
Director of Sports Christopher Jones promised that the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall will be renovated to meet the requirements by FIBA, in time for July 3 – 16 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) U16 Caribbean Championship.
This will be the second time the championships will be held in Guyana, with the first being in 1999. The last CBC Youth Caribbean Championship was held in Antigua and Barbuda in 2008.
The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, according to Jones, will see a complete overhaul, of which, focus will be given to ensuring the playing area is resurfaced to complete specification of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), with the guidance of the CBC.
Jones highlighted that the National Sports Commission (NSC), is happy to play its part in ensuring that the Championship is not only a reality, but also reflects Guyana in a positive way.
The Director of Sports pointed out that the desired funding for the project will not be an issue and work has already started on the washroom facilities at Guyana’s premier indoor sporting facility.
Asked about the removal of the Volleyball and Badminton Courts which also utilises the playing surface, Jones said that it required by FIBA, that only lines that should be visible are those of basketball court.
To date, ten men’s and seven women’s national teams have confirmed their participation. This includes Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and the hosts Guyana in the Men’s Championship.
The Women’s Championship will include national teams from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the hosts Guyana.
The Youth Championship was last held in St John’s, Antigua in 2008 and both the Men’s and Women’s Championship winners were the Bahamas.
