Mike J. Williams, Managing Partner, BVI, Mourant Ozannes about to make the basket to signal the commencement of the tournament. Photo: VINO

The pioneers of the K&J 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament - Kennedy H. Bass and Jason A. Edwin - at the opening ceremony for the tournament held today March 28, 2015. Photo: VINO

Acting Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports Paul A. Hewlett aka 'Paul on the Ball' speaking at the launch. Photo: VINO

Mike J. Williams, Managing Partner, BVI, Mourant Ozannes gave the young players important life lessons about hard work, discipline and determination in a motivational speech, and told them not to be discouraged by failures. Photo: VINO

Kennedy H. Bass stressing the importance of discipline throughout the tournament. Photo: VINO

Jason A. Edwin speaking to the players. 'We asked what could we do for the kids in the territory in terms of giving back because we once were youths in the BVI looking for extra curricular activities to be involved in,' said Edwin. Photo: VINO

Some of the players and officials in attendance this morning. Photo: VINO

Some of the players waiting anxiously to commence playing on the court. Photo: VINO

Jason A. Edwin and Kennedy H. Bass stand with Digicel representatives and the prizes to be given away. Photo: VINO

Team Owner of Bayside Blazers Julian Willock is seen here seated next to former Fifth District Representative Elvis 'Juggy' Harrigan (right) during the opening ceremony. Photo: VINO

The opening saw the presence of acting Director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports’ Paul A. Hewlett who represented Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn. Also there were the organisers of the tournament- top ranked Virgin Islands basketball players Jason A. Edwin and Kennedy H. Bass, and a representative of the main sponsors Mourant Ozannes among others.

Play hard but play fair – Paul ‘on the ball’

In encouraging the young players, Hewlett told them that it is his hope that they become good players like the duo who put the tournament together.

“We were very happy to see Jason and Kennedy put in the effort that they did. I go very far back with Jason and Kennedy from their playing days…from their junior days. I have watched them and have seen them mature into young men and I hope the same for you. My hope for you is that you will be doing what they are doing now which is to mature into young men,” he said.

“We are very pleased to be part of what is here today. Play hard, play fair, play clean and may the best team win,” said Paul ‘On the Ball’ as he is popularly known.

Determination & hard work go hand in hand

Mike J. Williams, Managing Partner of Mourant Ozannes BVI gave the young players important life lessons about hard work, discipline and determination in a motivational speech, and told them not to be discouraged by failures.

“We are proud to partner with K&J Enterprises to support basketball in the BVI. Our community participation focuses on what we call the Three Es – Education, Endeavour and the Environment, so supporting basketball fits nicely into the Endeavour category,” he said.

Emphasising the importance of being determined, he said he was never a person blessed with what others might consider gifts – such as being able to sing or dance or someone who is highly intelligent. “The one true gift that I have been given is that I am a relentlessly determined person. There is nothing glamorous about being determined. Determination involves hard work, long hours, pain, courage, making difficult choices, dedication, sacrifice, perseverance and frequently sweat,” Williams said.

“But let me tell you this; determination is essential to success and you will never achieve anything in life if you are not determined. Today, to be truly successful at something, being talented is not enough, you must be determined too,” Williams told the players.

Zero tolerance for bad behaviour - Bass

Speaking at the opening, Bass said there will be zero tolerance for bad behaviour on the court. “Today we want you all to have a lot of fun; we want you all to display some self discipline; we want to make sure you build your character here also during the game. We want no misbehaving. There will be zero tolerance [for that],” he said.

Edwin explained that he and Bass set out to start a new venture to promote basketball in the territory. “Over the years we juggled many ideas in terms of camps, clinics and even tournaments…and the 3 on 3 idea landed on the table and we just ran with it. We asked what could we do for the kids in the territory in terms of giving back because we once were youths in the BVI looking for extra curricular activities to be involved in,” said Edwin.

In addition to Mourant Ozannes, other sponsors include Digicel, Caribbean Insurers Ltd., Road Town Wholesale, Busta, Dasani, STO Enterprise, Skelton Group of Companies, Virgin Islands News Online, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), Honourable Delores Christopher (R5), BVI Hotpress, JTV, Stinky's Barbershop, Banco Popular among others.