MAR 13

After an eight-year lapse, basketball in the "big parish" bounced back to life this weekend with the opening of the St. Andrew's basketball tournament last Sunday evening at the Moon Shadow Park, Grenville.

The Moon Shadow Park came alive at 5.30 on Sunday evening with a gala opening ceremony and a colourful march past of nine (9) of the twelve (12) participating teams.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Digicel Country Manager for Grenada, Patricia Maher, described Digicel as a Caribbean company, with a Caribbean brand name, committed to the development of Caribbean peoples. She said that " Digicel views its sponsorship of sporting, cultural and social projects as a way of giving back and saying "thanks" to the community for its support of Digicel".

Also addressing the opening ceremony were:- Mr. Megil Vincent, President of the St. Andrew's Basketball League, Honorable Roland Bhola, Minister of Sports and Mr. Steve Horsford, who represented Hon. Yolande Bain-Joseph (Parliamentary Representative for St. Andrew's North-East) all of whom were high in praise for all those who contributed to make the tournament a reality after an 8-year lapse. High praise was particularly given to Digicel for its approximately $6,000 contribution towards the tournament.

The evening's proceedings began with an invocation by Father Ronald Mark of the Grenville Anglican Church and concluded with an oath by a representative each from the players and the tournament officials to uphold the highest standards of disciple and fairness throughout the tournament.

In the first game of the tournament, Yolande Lane Blaizers edged out Roland Bhola Cocoa Boys from Paradise 53 points to 49.