Stern action is necessary
(From the Sports Desk)
Guyana Chronicle
November 8, 2006
THE sport of basketball has been in a quandary for many years. It has made negative headlines in the past for bottle-throwing, administrative battles and fist fights. Many have tried to solve the problems, but they have become embedded in the psyche of those involved.
Players, some highly recognised, have been guilty of using abrasive language on and off court. Marijuana smoking by fans in the upper stands of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall at some games is as regular as drinking energy drinks.
Administrators have constantly denounced these acts, but they have never been able to stop it fully.
Prior to being re-elected as president a few months ago, Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) president, Chris Bowman, made it clear to the clubs that in his second term he would be a hard-fisted leader, since he intends to carry the sport forward and to make decisions which will in the long run improve the game.
Last season the game itself suffered tremendously, due to poor refereeing from a few, with the eye-pass growing. Even good calls were watered down as favouritism by the referees.
In one game, in particular, a call resulted in a player kicking the basketball the full length of the court.
Outside of the city on the East Coast of Demerara one referee was punched in the back of the head during a street basketball competition. That blow almost cost him his life.
Last Friday night the 2006-07 Georgetown league tipped off. This time around, the association has assembled the best-of-the-best when it comes to referees.
Bowman, at the launching of the league, called them the elite panel of referees. Leading the charge is now retired Ravens’ small forward Aubrey Younge.
During a game between the Plaisance Disciples and the Eagles on Saturday night, Younge, who has been stern but fair in his blowing, was taunted on occasions for his calling by Eagles coach Dale Phillips.
With Eagles leading 45-43 with 6:03 left in the third quarter, Phillips made a rude remark which resulted in a technical foul. This abuse continued and the coach was ejected from the game. A decision, not to leave the Sports Hall by Phillips, saw Younge disqualifying the team for their coach’s unsportsmanlike behaviour, whereby awarding the win to the Disciples.
Even though Phillips’ remarks were not as harsh as many made to referees in the past, the disqualification signals a step in the right direction, especially for the development of the game.
For many the Eagles coach might have been the sacrificial lamb and disqualifying the team might have been too harsh a call, but for any sport to move forward, especially one which has been seen as tainted, stern action is necessary.