Amid criticisms that basketball in the Virgin Islands seems to be on the decline with the cancellations of various tournaments last year, as well as the BVI Basketball Federation (BVIBF) 2015 League in April, Vice-President of the BVIBF Keith ‘88’ Malone is adamant that the sport is far from dying. Photo: Stephen A. McMaster

Last year also saw the cancellation of the 7th and 8th Districts’ Basketball Leagues. In addition, the Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines X-mas Basketball League was also cancelled. Photo: VINO/File

The 3rd Annual Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed National Basketball League was launched on July 28, 2015. From left: Head of Business Solutions at Digicel BVI, Mr Kevin Carragher; League Commissioner, Rajah A. Smith; Representative for the Third District, Hon Julian Fraser RA; Pastor Albert O. Wheatley; Managing Director of Nagico Insurances, Shan Mohamed; and Vice-President of the BVI Basketball Federation, Keith '88' Malone. Photo: Stephen A. McMaster

“Basketball is alive and well and kicking. It is not dead,” said Mr Malone when asked by the media to respond to criticisms about the sport while at the launch of the 3^rd Annual Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed national Basketball League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre on July 28, 2015.

Last year, for the first time in its history, the Virgin Gorda Basketball League’s Summer Jam was cancelled. It was blamed on the construction of a new gym.

Last year also saw the cancellation of the 7th and 8th Districts’ Basketball Leagues. In addition, the Hon Alvera Maduro-Caines X-mas Basketball League was also cancelled.

Referring to a summer basketball camp taking place at the Save the Seed Energy Centre, Mr Malone said it was an example of where basketball is, that it was alive and well.

Cancellation of 2015 Senior League

Referring to the cancellation of the BVIBF 2015 League, Vice President Malone said the recently held CBC tournament had its good and bad effects because time was needed to prepare the National team and there were a number of players who play in the league who were selected to prepare for the CBC championship. “So it would have meant taking a break to accommodate the tournament.”

Mr Malone also noted that there was a women’s team fielded for the first time at the CBC tournament, which indicated that the sport was going places in the VI.

He also expressed gratitude to persons who have been organising tournaments throughout the VI, including the organisors of the recent K&J 3 on 3 tournament.

According to Malone, the Federation will now have to look at putting a calendar in place to accommodate basketball year-round.

Hon Fraser League important to growth of B/ball in VI

Meanwhile, Mr Malone said the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League offers an opportunity for players to showcase their talent that they would have been working on throughout the year.

“Basketball should be played year round. This helps players keep their level of competition up to par so playing basketball two or three months out of the year is not quite enough so such a league is important to the development and growth of basketball in the territory.”

He encouraged players to always give their best during the league as it could lead to scholarships and other opportunities.

In sanctioning the league, Mr Malone said he wouldn’t refer to the league as a national one as such a title is reserved for the Federation.

Chairman of the Organising Committee of the League, Mr Julian Willock said the word national was used to indicate the reach of the tournament in attracting teams from across the VI, including the Sister Islands, and that it was not restricted to the Third District or just a few Districts. 

The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed National Basketball League will bounce off on August 15, 2015 at the Save the Seed Energy Centre basketball court in Duffs Bottom. Some 16 senior and 4 junior teams are taking part in the 3rd edition of the tournament.