BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AS the calendar year draws to a close, the St. Kitts-Nevis Amateur Basketball Association (SKNABA) is reporting that the issue with several players from the Sandy Point PRIDE Basketball Club has overshadowed what might have been a successful season.
In October, last, four players from the Sandy Point PRIDE were suspended from the SKNABA for allegedly verbally abusing a referee during a Junior League game played at Basketball City on Wednesday, June 29, 2016.
According to information received by SKNVibes Sport, the senior players were seated in the stands in support of the Sandy Point Falcons (junior team) when a dispute occurred among the players.
Reportedly, in the absence of security personnel, many spectators, including the four seniors and a number of players from other clubs, proceeded onto the court to assist in the restoration of order and to safeguard the youngsters.
According to the Club’s Team Manager, Randy De Suza, “The referee had lodged a complaint to the Games Commissioner, Harold Wharton, against four of our members and on Sunday, July 3 we were notified that they were suspended.”
That suspension had reportedly highlighted a deficiency in the structure of the Association as allegations of conflict of interest were made against the Executive arm.
Speaking with SKNABA’s General Secretary Wallis Wilkin, this publication sought his views on the season, to which he described it as on “average to unsuccessful, neither overly successful”.
“I think it was a season that could have been better in a number of ways. The Finals, however, was successful as usual. The Finals drew thousands of fans to Basketball City.”
In the Premier Division or First Division, the St. Paul’s Tuff Knots swept their series against Rams Hitters 3-0.
He however noted that the suspension of the four Sandy Point PRIDE’s players had put a hold on the SKNABA’s season as the A-League season is yet to be completed.
“We had and still have a black botch on the season with a situation that is still somewhat unresolved with the Sandy Point PRIDE. Four of their players were suspended and after a series of back and forth, they appealed the suspension and it was eventually upheld. But because of that situation, another situation arose where they played in a match and the opposing team protested the game. This was a match to decide who goes to the Final.”
The Executives are expected to hold talks with both teams on the way forward and also about various recommendations put forward by the Appeals Committee on their decision.
Wilkin declared that more work needs to be done by the Executives to attract more fans on a consistent basis to games played during the regular season
He however stated that “we do not get a problem with getting people to come out to the playoffs. Those are always well attended."
Wilkin highlighted another obstacle to success, pointing to the lack of an indoor season, which he claimed has been a consistent cry over the last several years by the Executives and players alike.
Wilkin disclosed that weather conditions had affected several games during the season and that the SKNABA is still in the process of lobbying the Government to construct the indoor facility.
Meanwhile, officials at SKNABA are all smiles as Team St. Kitts had closed out the basketball year with a victory at the recently-concluded Leeward Islands Basketball Association Championship in Anguilla.
