The recently refurbished Burnham Basketball Court will play host to this weekend’s (February 19-20) Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic.
Toney explained that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport moved its Mashramani Panorama Steel Pan competition from the National Culture Centre to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, forcing him to relocate to the spruced-up outdoor facility.
He added that while the Panorama event will only be held on Sunday, “logistically, it would cost me more to host the event at two venues. So now both days of the tournament will be held at Burnham Court. It means that I will have to add a temporary washroom and changing area at Burnham Court.”
“Ideally, 3X3 is meant to be played outdoors. The Sports Hall was chosen because of the amenities that we lack at our outdoor basketball facilities. Also, taking the level of investment to bring a premium basketball event to Guyana, the Sports Hall eliminates the issue of being affected by the weather,” Toney highlighted.
Thanks to Ansa McAl and the Hennessy brand, the Burnham Basketball Court was given a complete upgrade in keeping with the renowned Cognac’s global community basketball programme.
Burnham Court is seen as the ‘cornerstone’ of Guyana’s basketball for the past 65 years.
Hennessy’s impeccable worldwide reputation was mirrored in the works of the Court with the installation of new lights, officials’ tables, brand new players’ areas, bleachers and of course a newly redone, designed-painted court.
The 16-team tournament will see some of Guyana and the Caribbean’s best players, vying for the tournament’s first-place prize of G$500,000 and four championship commemorative gold rings.
Mackeson, Guyana Lottery Company and Hennessy, FireSide Grill, Bush Cook, Stuff, MVP Sports, FK Sports, Shi Oil, Brother’s Security, The Muse Bar, Pressy’s Gift Shop and 94.1FM are some of the other sponsors.
Jump ball time is 18:00h each day.
