Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser, RA says he is paying no attention to naysayers who suggest he might be attempting to undermine the work of Minister for Education and Culture, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn with his involvement in the recently launched Intermediate Basketball League. Photo: VINO/File

His vision, he disclosed, was that the Territory should be moving towards having national teams. He was hopeful that at least two national teams could be developed out of the current squads assembled to participate in the intermediate basketball league. Photo: VINO/File

The league gets underway later today, August 16, 2013 in conjunction with Bishop John I. Cline and the Save the Seed Energy Centre at Duffs Bottom.

Speaking with Virgin Islands News Online, the veteran legislator said, “I haven’t even given that a thought. That is the furthest thing away from my mind. This has nothing to do with a Minister or anything. There is absolutely no politics in my view where this is concerned.”

Hon. Fraser said if anyone might have been harbouring thoughts that his involvement in the league may have been simply politicking then they would be on their own and he had no wish to participate in such a discussion.

“I think that this is a clear, clean effort to advance the development of youth in the Territory,” he said.

The Third District Representative stated that any undertaking done by government, whether it were in health, education or otherwise, requires as much assistance from the private sector as possible or anyone willing to participate.

“Let no one be fooled into believing that the government can do everything, they just don’t have the capacity so I don’t even give a second thought to that kind of thing,” he added.

He also highlighted that the group behind the initiative is involving the private sector in the endeavour and stated that this is where his focus is currently. League sponsors include Digicel, SOL BVI, The National Bank of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Archibald C. Christian and the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports. Many more sponsors are expected to come on board.

Hon. Fraser explained that some might think it funny that a politician can make such a statement suggesting that no politics is involved in an initiative but he was one such politician.

Regarding his thoughts on where the sport stands currently in the VI, Hon. Fraser said, “There is a lack of focus… there isn’t enough focus on the game of basketball. I don’t think that the discipline that is required to get these young people to another level is in the game. If we can get [discipline] in the game, if we can get purpose in the game, these young people can then try to advance to the next level.”

According to his observations, Hon. Fraser said he noticed that the type of basketball being played was zone basketball, whereas in the professional leagues and in colleges, man-to-man basketball was being played. “That’s the kind of game that I would like to see us develop around here so that we can compete on an international level. When we go to tournaments, regionally and internationally, we’re on the cutting edge,” he added.

The legislator said the sport was past the stage of simple recreation, hence his insistence that some kind of purpose needed to be added.

His vision, he disclosed, was that the Territory should be moving towards having national teams. He was hopeful that at least two national teams could be developed out of the current squads assembled to participate in the intermediate basketball league.

“Between the Bishop and myself, I think that a lot can be derived from this whole exercise that we’re going through,” he stated.