From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Bahamas Information Services Updates
Competition is Key to Improvement, Darville Tells Grand Bahama School Basketball Players
By Andrew Coakley, BIS
Feb 15, 2017 - 10:09:10 AM

Good-to-meet-you.jpg
GOOD TO MEET YOU – Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville took time out meet the children before addressing the audience to officially open the 2017 Grand Bahama Primary Schools Association’s Basketball Tournament.

Freeport, The Bahamas - Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville reminded a gym filled with primary school basketball players that competition is the key to improvement, academically and athletically.

“If you do not compete, then it will be difficult to progress and do well,” added Minister Darville. “So the same way you compete in the classroom is the way you ought to compete on the basketball court.”

The Minister was guest speaker during the opening of the Grand Bahama Primary Schools Association Basketball Tournament, which featured teams from Nassau, Grand Bahama and Abaco. This year’s tournament was held in honor of the Minister and was thus called the ‘Michael Darville Primary School Basketball Tournament’, held at the Jack Hayward gym.

Talking-to-the-kids.jpg
TALKING TO THE KIDS – As basketball tournament guest speaker, Dr. Michael Darville (right) told the young ball players that competition was key to improvement both athletically and academically.

“To all of the boys and girls who will be playing in this tournament, I say to you ‘work hard, perform to your maximum capability, compete in the spirit of camaraderie and always remember to have the right attitude.’ Remember that there are even lessons in defeat.”

He admitted to the youngsters that he himself was not a good basketball player, but he loved to see the game played well by those who are capable of playing the game. As a result, the Minister promised the youngsters that throughout the tournament, he would be popping in to look at the level of talent that existed among the young ball players.

“When the organizer of this tournament, Ozzie Simmons and his team came to me to talk about putting on this tournament, I was immediately on board and was pleased to be a part of the sponsorship for this event,” said Dr. Darville.

“Especially when he told me that this tournament would feature primary school teams from right here in Grand Bahama and schools from Nassau and Abaco. This is an event that’s more than just about playing basketball. It’s an area where we can mentor young men through the avenue of sports.”

Minister Darville admitted that he had a team preference, but pointed out that as Minister, he wanted to encourage all of the teams and hope that each one got a shot at the championship title.

Taking-the-shot.jpg
TAKING THE SHOT – To officially open the 2017 Primary School Basketball Tournament, Dr. Michael Darville made two attempts from the free throw line, where he made a good shot on the second try. This year’s tournament was held in honor of Dr. Darville, who was a major sponsor of the tournament.

Some repairs had to be made to the gymnasium in order to get it up and running in time to host the tournament. Minister Darville pointed out that Ozzie Simmons pushed and made sure that the necessary repairs were carried out in time to host the tournament. “So those of you who are visiting from Nassau, you may still see some signs of the devastation that had affected us, thanks to Hurricane Matthew, but we have recovered well and continue to recover,” said Minister Darville. “But you must commend us for the quality of work we have done thus far in order to get this city back up and running.”

The Minister officially opened the tournament by taking a shot from the free throw line. The first shot was a miss, but Minister Darville was able to make the shot on the second attempt.




© Copyright 2017 by thebahamasweekly.com -