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Uncertainty still with basketball tourney

by Barbados Today
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The fourth edition of the Under-23 basketball championship hosted by Next Generation Athletics and Basketball Academy will tip-off later than usual this year, says founder Zahir Motara.

In a telephone interview with Barbados TODAY, Motara explained that the tournament that is normally held in January had been pushed back to November because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and also the uncertainty where venues were concerned.

And even November is not a guarantee for the three-week competition. He said they were looking to see whether the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) season would resume for the remainder of 2020 in order to avoid a clash.

In addition to the accessibility of venues and the BABA season, Motara also explained: “Also because of the COVID and sponsors obviously this might not be a good time. So, we are still waiting to see because the way the tournament is run if we don’t have sponsors we can’t really get it to the quality that we want it. And we don’t want to put on a tournament for putting it on sake. 

“The way we do the under-23 tournament with all the promoting and the entertainment and stuff we want to keep a certain quality. So, our major factors right now are venues, time of the year and sponsorship.”

With how the entire COVID-19 situation played out locally, Motara said he was thinking about writing off this year’s tournament which attracts large crowds annually.

After Prime Minister Mia Mottley made her announcement last week that local sport could resume, Motara revealed that he received a number of messages from players asking when the tournament would be played.

“So many of the boys just started to message me asking when the tournament will be and they are so excited, they just want to play so badly. I told them I will see what I can do but I haven’t put a timeline on it but I will have to do that shortly.

“Another thing we are looking at is the possibility of trying to see in terms of crowds because we have to wait obviously on what is the announcement on sports in general. Yes, we were told sports could start back but we don’t necessarily know how it could start back as yet in terms of crowds and what requirements would be needed,” Motara said. 

He added: “Obviously you can’t play basketball and certain sports with a mask on, so we still have to wait and see how things will shape up. So right now it is just to wait and see. But if it could happen in November then that is what we are looking at but I would say if by the end of July or so, we can’t get a definite answer if it could happen or not then we will probably have to push it to next year.”

The COVID-19 has impacted on Motara’s operations in more than one way. The two-week summer camp where coaches from True Champs Basketball School out of Canada visit Barbados to work with local talent may be extremely low profile this time around. Motara stated that already the coaches have cancelled the trip for this year because of COVID-19.

“We missed the entire school term so far. We would have missed Easter camp because of COVID and next on our agenda would be summer camp. Right now we are leaning towards 50/50 because of all the openings and stuff, it may be possible but we are waiting to see what are the restrictions, stipulations, so that we would know well, ‘is it possible, is it not possible’.

“So we are still waiting to see but hopefully summer camp may be able to come off late August into September if possible. Our summer camp is usually late in the summer so that gives us a little more time to know what is going on and then we would move from there if anything.”

Just recently BABA president Francis Williams said he was unsure whether local basketball would continue for the remainder of the year. 

But Motara, a former national captain, strongly believes that once there is no spike in cases and everything remains under control that some form of basketball will be played before the year is over.

“I don’t see anything playing before the end of July or maybe August because even if you say yes teams will start practising and getting registration sorted out and all of these things, you still have to give them time to do all of that but I still think something will happen once we stay on the right path.”

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb 

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