21 October 2008
SEYCHELLES : New sponsor saves competition
A NEW sponsor has come to the rescue after it looked as though the Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup tournament would not go ahead.
The National Basketball Technical Committee (NBTC) of the SBF had decided to suspend the tournament last week as it did not have enough money to pay match officials.
In fact, officials of matches in the final part of the league championship have not been paid a total sum of R25,000, Sports Nation has learned.
As its budget has run out, the federation is in no position to make any payments, and the SBF Cup was in danger of being cut from the calendar as a potential sponsor backed out at the last minute.
Last Saturday, team managers met at Victoria Gymnasium to discuss the matter and Premium Cobras’ president Roy Collie decided to sponsor the tournament himself.
All teams agreed and some have even said they will help with selling tickets.
Geneviève Lionnet of PLS Hawks’ management is also heavily involved in running the competition.
Mr Collie told Sports Nation: “I’m doing this for the love of basketball. It’s going to cost at least R40,000 to organise the tournament. It’s a lot, but there is a need to save the tournament and the sport.
“I invite all potential sponsors to come forward and help us in every way they can.”
The total cost includes payment of officials and transport, and Mr Collie is yet to decide whether the winning teams will receive cups or prize money.
The tournament’s name will also be changed as it can no longer be called the SBF Cup. Mr Collie is expected to come up with a new name later this week.
He took the opportunity to ponder on whether the SBF will be able to host the Indian Ocean Club Championship (IOCC) next year.
“We don’t want to miss out on this basketball festival. Local basketballers need exposure and Seychellois basketball fans want to see their teams in action,” he said.
“The local basketball body should start looking for sponsors now and if it does not succeed, I’m ready to organise it.”
G. G.
The National Basketball Technical Committee (NBTC) of the SBF had decided to suspend the tournament last week as it did not have enough money to pay match officials.
In fact, officials of matches in the final part of the league championship have not been paid a total sum of R25,000, Sports Nation has learned.
As its budget has run out, the federation is in no position to make any payments, and the SBF Cup was in danger of being cut from the calendar as a potential sponsor backed out at the last minute.
Last Saturday, team managers met at Victoria Gymnasium to discuss the matter and Premium Cobras’ president Roy Collie decided to sponsor the tournament himself.
All teams agreed and some have even said they will help with selling tickets.
Geneviève Lionnet of PLS Hawks’ management is also heavily involved in running the competition.
Mr Collie told Sports Nation: “I’m doing this for the love of basketball. It’s going to cost at least R40,000 to organise the tournament. It’s a lot, but there is a need to save the tournament and the sport.
“I invite all potential sponsors to come forward and help us in every way they can.”
The total cost includes payment of officials and transport, and Mr Collie is yet to decide whether the winning teams will receive cups or prize money.
The tournament’s name will also be changed as it can no longer be called the SBF Cup. Mr Collie is expected to come up with a new name later this week.
He took the opportunity to ponder on whether the SBF will be able to host the Indian Ocean Club Championship (IOCC) next year.
“We don’t want to miss out on this basketball festival. Local basketballers need exposure and Seychellois basketball fans want to see their teams in action,” he said.
“The local basketball body should start looking for sponsors now and if it does not succeed, I’m ready to organise it.”
G. G.
# posted by afrbk : 15:47
