According to Cadogan, the recent inter-ward competition saw very large crowds attending the games and many players from different areas participating.

However, he said that to continue the development of the game and to keep players and fans interested they had planned to host a `super-ten’ competition.

That competition is now being held up according to Cadogan because the GABA is withholding sanctioning of the event.

The coach told Stabroek Sport that the president of the GABA had orally sanctioned the event but he (Cadogan) was awaiting written confirmation from the executive (of GABA) since that is required by the authorities at the venue before games are held.

Cadogan said that he hopes that basketball players and fans understand the `real’ reason for the delay. He mentioned that his organization and the ruling body had had a disagreement with regards to the payment of monies from the last inter-ward tournament but that matter had been settled since they (Courts Pacesetters) had agreed in writing to honour a commitment they had made.

Cadogan said that funds from the `super-ten’ would have been used to visit and play games in Suriname as well as host club teams from Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados. The former national player also pointed out that an executive of the GABA had said on television recently that the players should not be playing for money.

But Cadogan feels that without monetary incentives players will not feel motivated enough during tournaments.

According to him many of these young men are not working anywhere and winning a tournament and earning some monetary reward is seen as a big prize for them. He stated that `gear’ for a player is very expensive with a quality sneaker costing in the vicinity of $20,000.

The coach said he is not happy with what he describes as the unprofessional attitude of some of the executives and which not doubt reflects on the entire body.

Cadogan would like in the near future to run-off a nationwide tournament similar in stature to the annual Kashif & Shanghai Football tournament held in Linden. He would like basketball clubs in Linden and Berbice to be a part of the new tournament which he envisages.

Cadogan is appealing to the GABA to be more professional since negativity and unprofessionalism will hurt the game, players and fans alike.