The CBC Championship or CaribeBasket is a FIBA sanctioned tournament scheduled for July 1- 14, 2014 in the [British] Virgin Islands. Photo: CBC

P2W Sports has been organizing local sports events, but this will be its first venture into Regional hosting and as Mrs Dawn F. Crabbe-Herbert explained, 'P2W is pleased to partner with the CBC as we expose the BVI as a sporting destination. P2W will also be assisting the local Federation in the development of Coaches and Referees in accordance with FIBA and CBC standards. We will not only be hosting the CBC Championships, but also hosting the appropriate clinics to achieve those goals.' Photo: VINO/File

Play 2 Win (P2W) was confirmed as the Local Organising Committee for the 2014 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Men’s and Women’s Championship on Monday December 16, 2013 by President of the CBC, Mr Usie Richards. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The CBC Championship or CaribeBasket is a FIBA sanctioned tournament scheduled for July 1- 14, 2014 in the [British] Virgin Islands, featuring 8 Male and Female teams from the host Country, the USVI, the Bahamas, Cuba, Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana and Barbados (men’s) as well as the USVI, the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Guyana (female).

The teams will be split into two groups of four with the top two from each group progressing into the semi finals, whilst the others will face off for ranking purposes.

The top three teams, both Men and Women, earn berths into the Centro Basket Championship where they compete for spots in the FIBA Americas Championship, from which they can qualify for the FIBA World Championships or Olympics.

To add to the huge excitement of having the National Teams from different caribbean countries descending upon the VI, Group B pits together the hosts and near neighbours, the USVI, in the last game of the Preliminary round.

Mr Richards, who is also the President of the USVI Basketball Federation, noted that apart from being very proud of the development being shown by the [B]VI team there is usually a great spirit when the two teams meet.

“Since 2002, when they competed at the University of the West Indies in St Thomas and 2010, when they competed in the CBC’s held in the Bahamas, the BVI has made good progress and  made it to the next level of basketball within a decade. When the two teams meet it is very spirited and is a game that goes right down to the wire. The BVI has taken the USVI to task once or twice in the last four years and the USVI has returned the favour. Hopefully the game at the 2014 CBC will determine which team finishes top and who is second.”

As for the USVI, Richards commented that it was a time of transition with some of their regular more experienced players stepping aside, but hoped that his team will still be very competitive, especially having won the Men’s Championship in 2010.

“Our expectations are to improve, but we have had to re-energise the group with some core players being replaced by younger athletes. It will be completely different from what they are used to, but we hope they will be able to do well.”

The Minster Responsible for Sport, the Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, was also in attendance and was proud to congratulate Mrs Dawn F. Crabbe-Herbert of P2W Sports in taking on the task of bringing the tournament to the [British] Virgin Islands.

“Exposure to top level athletes will no doubt inspire our young athletes and I hope the community will support the Tournament. Mrs Crabbe Herbert and her committee should be applauded for bringing the tournament here and I also commend her for announcing the event early so sponsors can plan their budgets.”

P2W Sports has been organizing local sports events, but this will be its first venture into Regional hosting and as Mrs Crabbe-Herbert explained, “P2W is pleased to partner with the CBC as we expose the BVI as a sporting destination. P2W will also be assisting the local Federation in the development of Coaches and Referees in accordance with FIBA and CBC standards. We will not only be hosting the CBC Championships, but also hosting the appropriate clinics to achieve those goals.”

The CBC Championships were last hosted by the [B]VI in 2009 and the expectation from all involved and those who know the abilities and commitment of Mrs Crabbe- Herbert is for the 2014 Tournament to not only be better on the court, but also better off it and to be an event of high quality.