President of the SLBF Leslie Collymore addressing local media at Monday’s news conference.
The Saint Lucia Basketball Federation’s (SLBF) National Basketball League regular season games kicks off later this month.
The SLBF officially launched the 2014 season on Monday (Mar. 17) at press conference held at the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports conference room, at Blue Coral Mall.
The regular season games in division one and the premier league takes [;ace at the Beausejour Indoor Facility on Saturday, March 29 at 6 p.m. with an opening ceremony, followed by one match. Four-time defending champion Courts Jets will be up against the Commercial League Champion,and that will be followed by the actual tournament, which will continue on Sunday March, 30, 2014.
The season will unfold at several locations which include: Soufriere, Gros Islet, Micoud and the Vigie Multipurpose Complex, which will host these matches. The finals will be a best-of-three match series.
The Premier League will be made up of eight teams: Court Jets, VBCT, Babonneau, Dennery Dolphins, Monier Gladiators, Canaries Moon River, ISE Academy and the Soufriere Sulphur stars. On the other hand, division one will include: the Combined School Team, Micoud Hustlers, Maranatha Eagles, the Royal St Lucia Police Force and Sandals Resort International.
President of the SLBF Leslie Collymore said he anticipates a very successful year for the federation and basketball as a whole in St Lucia. According to him, the SLBF hopes to achieve at least 65 to 70 percent of its work plan for this season.
Collymore added that the SLBF is looking to promote basketball among women, especially since the executive of SLBF now has two women, who have experience in this field.
The objective of this is to create a national team of female basket players who will represent Saint Lucia regionally and internationally, as well as inspire other young ladies to play basketball.
Collymore noted that while the last season was faced with some challenges, including financial difficulties. He said the SLBF is committed to the successful hosting of the 2014 season with more support from corporate entities, and those who want to see basketball develop more locally.
He also took the opportunity to call on other private sector entities, to support local basketball. The president also urged on the media to make a concerted effort, to assist in marketing efforts of his team.
The SLBF head commenced the sponsors for their continuous support towards basketball development in St Lucia. He said without them, the level at which basketball is played in St Lucia would not have been achieved.
The Bank of St Lucia, Express Distributors Limited EDL, Blue Waters, the Cell and the St Lucian Olympic Committee all received high praises for their support to the federation.
Other activities for the 2014 season include the Mini-Basketball Programme geared towards children ages five to 12, the All Star Weekend Tournament and the Windward Island Tournament, among others. There are also plans to continue the 3×3 tournament, the veterans 3×3 and the Inter Secondary School Basketball under 16 and under 19 tournament.
The SLBF also plans to participate in the OECS Championships, which is slated for August this year.