As the Road to Edmonton 3×3 World Tour begins at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with the one Guyana 3×3 Quest set for April 5th and 6th as Guyana basketball Association President Michael Singh is optimistic on the impact of the quest toward the Guyanese population.
The Quest will see the participation of 16 international teams from USA,Canada,Puerto Rico,Ecuador, Switzerland, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago,St.Marteen , Guatemala, St.kitts and Nevis,Cayman Islands and St. Lucia.
GBA President Michael Singh in an exclusive interview expounded on the hopes of the Quest being competitive with the international exposure and the tournament being a calendar event.
“Yeah, this tournament is gathering a lot of support both locally and internationally. On the local scene, it’s under the One Guyana Umbrella. The Ministry, the Federation, working very closely and executing it. Executing a very high product, you know. On the international scene with FIBA, CBC and FIBA.
We’re looking at making it a very competitive tournament. As you know, we’ve got teams from all over the Caribbean and other international. We have a Swiss team, you know.
So, we’re sticking to the game plan and we’re looking to execute a very good product. A tournament of a certain magnitude where it will become a calendar event, you know. So, you know, first impression means everything.
We need to execute this one properly. We need to ensure that our teams come in and play at a high level. (1:09) And we also give them warm hospitality” Singh said in a interview with Sports Guyana.
With the focus of GBA to implement teams into the 3×3 format as Singh indicated that the Quest aligns perfectly and that it will be a steppingstone for bigger international tournaments.
Singh said “It aligns if you look at before we were just conducting local competitions and then sending our teams to the AmeriCup in November and December every year. But now, what we’re doing is expanding a bit where they now have a great opportunity to host 3×3 tournaments.
And not just 3×3 tournaments. This is considered a quest. A quest of higher value when you’re on the world stage at 3×3 level.
All 3×3 players internationally could indicate if they want to play. The winner of this tournament would have an opportunity to go and play in Canada, in Edmonton. These 3×3 quests are a steppingstone for bigger competitions internationally.”
Singh would go on divulge on the impact of tournament towards the spectators and motivation for development among local players
Singh said “It would impact directly from the point of view that it will encourage them to play. It will give them the opportunity to see the different facets of 3×3 basketball. (3:01) When you’re watching or competing against local guys, you basically know who the shooters are, who are the quick ones, who are the finishers in the paint, etc.
But when you see international players now playing at different levels, adapting different techniques for 3×3, it basically impacts them at the IQ level, the conditioning level. It also forms as a motivation where you get an opportunity to be motivated to play and increase your stamina, increase your ability. Because if you’re executing at a high level, you will have an opportunity to play on a Guyanese 3×3 team or come together with 3 other compatriots and form a professional unit that could compete in tournaments of this magnitude.” The two-day tournament will showcase the fast-paced, high-intensity nature of 3×3 basketball, widely regarded as the most electrifying and accessible format of the game. (Omar Mckenzie)
