JAN 03

The game of basketball was given a shot in the arm after it received a financial contribution from one of the new entrants in the tele-communications industry in Grenada.

Digicel, last week presented a cheque worth $5000.00 to the St. Andrew's Basketball Association (SABA) to assist in staging the 2004 Parish Basketball Tournament.

Country Manager for Digicel, Jim Hogan made the presentation during a short ceremony held at the Tropicana Conference Room.
He promised that the company will continue to assist in the promotion of basketball not only in St. Andrew's but throughout the tri-island State.

President of the St. Andrew's Basketball Association, Miguel Vincent who accepted the cheque on behalf of the club, thanked Digicel for the donation.

He said he believes the money will go a long way toward assisting the association in staging the tournament after it was put on hold for a number of years due to lack of sponsorship and inadequate venues.

Vincent told GRENADA TODAY that the money will be used to purchase prizes and trophies for outstanding players and teams which will be given out at the end of the tournament.

According to the SABA president, the game of basketball was once played at the Grenville Market Square but due to the inadequacy with the playing area, mainly the lack of night lighting facilities and the need to have the court resurfaced the tournament was put on hold for a number of years.

Vincent said that in recent times a decision was taken to revive the competition in order to keep the young people in the parish away from illegal activities.

Matches in the tournament will be played at the Moon Shadow Park Hard Court as well as the one at Marquis when the competition starts in February.

Secretary of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Winston Garraway who was present at the ceremony spoke of how pleased they were with the contribution from Digicel toward the sport on the island.

He believes that the money will go a long way not only in enhancing the game in the parish but assisting the young people there to better their skills.

Garraway who described the new telephone company as a good corporate citizen encouraged them to continue making contributions to further assist in the development of the game on the island.