Delay hits 'D1' start

Western Bureau:

The 2011-12 Western Basketball Association (WBA) Division One League, which was slated to start this weekend, has been postponed, at least for a week, as the association has decided to accede to the wishes of clubs that have asked for a delay.

"We were ready to go as planned but a few teams have asked us for some additional time to fine-tune their preparation," said Deon Williams, the WBA vice-president in charge of leagues and operations. "Since we would like to have a smooth flow once we start, we have decided to give them the extra time."

The Division One League, alongside the National Basketball League (NBL) Men's Championship, the WBA Women's League and the KFC Schoolboy Under 19 and Under-16 competition, make up the WBA calendar. The Division One will feature 10 teams drawn from the parishes of Westmoreland, Hanover, Trelawny and St James.

Building support

In a bid to help grow the sport and generate wider participation and spectator support the competition will, unlike former years, not be played at a single venue but at venues in all four competing parishes.

"Part of our mandate is to grow the sport so we have an obligation to take it to the people in their various communities," said Williams. "Presently, we have identified reasonably good venues in all the parishes so venues will definitely not be a problem."

Among the venues slated to be used are the Watson Taylor Park in Lucea, Hanover; the Elliston Wakeland Youth Centre in Falmouth, Trelawny; the Negril Beach Park and Llandilo Courts in Westmoreland; and the Montego Bay Boys Club and the Montego Bay Cricket Club Courts in St James.

The 10 competing teams are: Montego Bay Boys Club Warriors, Montego Bay Cricket Club Knights, Bay City Lions and Granville Wolfpack of St James, Tornado of Trelawny, Negril Lions of Westmoreland and Hopewell Vipers and March Town Spartans of Hanover.

"Presently, we have not been able to secure a sponsor so we are still out there trying to secure sponsorship," said Williams. "If we are unable to secure a sponsor, as difficult as I am sure it will be, the WBA will just have to take up the cost."

With the association now without a president following the recent resignation of Donalda Reid, the three vice-presidents, who were elected alongside Mrs Reid at the last annual general meeting (AGM), will jointly spearhead the association's affairs.

"We will be holding things together until the next AGM, which is due in November," said Williams. "At that time, the affiliates will have the opportunity to select a new president." 

- A. F.