Summer Dunk Basketball Festival will boost sport locally - Broomfield

Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA) president Mark Broomfield says the upcoming JABA Summer Dunk Basketball Festival is an initiative he hopes will inspire young players and a new generation of basketballers.

The JABA boss said he was also extremely pleased to have rekindled ties with Jamaica Basketball Development Inc, after relations with the overseas-based-entity were severely damaged.

Michael Minto of Jamaica Basketball Development will lead a host of locally nurtured talented players who have achieved success overseas, and Broomfield hopes their presence will motivate the young.

"The best way to develop a sport is to focus on youth development. If you can get those who have gained from the sport like Mugabe (Thomas), Samardo (Samuels), Jerome (Jordan), among others, it will increase the amount of basketball being played," said Broomfield.

"It also gives the kids a chance to see those who started - where they are coming from - and see that they, to, can become a professional. So we want them to give back so the young players can learn the game," he told The Gleaner.

The week-long Summer Dunk Festival will tip off today with a press launch at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 6:30 p.m. This will be preceded by a kids' clinic at 5 p.m., which will be followed by an awards presentation. An exhibition game between Minto 79ers and a local national squad will complete the evening's activities.

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The contingent will travel to Cornwall College in Montego Bay tomorrow for a similar day of activities. On Wednesday, they will be at the Montego Bay Cricket Club, where they will kick off proceedings with Sterling All Stars going up against a high school all stars team before Minto 79ers take on a Western Basketball Association (WBA) All Stars team in the feature attraction.

The group returns to Kingston on Thursday and will take its activities to Majestic Gardens on Friday and then Tivoli Gardens on Saturday. They complete their visit with a game against the national team at the National Indoor Sports Centre that same evening, starting at 6.30 p.m.

Broomfield is also pleased to have the main supporters of the popular Star Search Camp back in the association's corner and has called on former sponsors of the game locally to come out and witness their investment.

"Because of their investment, these players are coming back not just to play basketball, but to also give back," he said.