Toney, Slater to represent Guyana at FIBA Americas Mid-Term Assembly

Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) Vice-Presidents Rawle Toney and Jermaine Slater will represent the local basketball governing body at this year’s FIBA Americas Mid-Term Assembly, scheduled for October 1-5 in Mexico City, Mexico.

While this will be their first time attending the Assembly together, both Toney and Slater are making their second individual appearance. Toney previously attended in 2023 in Miami, while Slater participated last year in Aruba.

According to a GBF release, the two will join delegates from across FIBA’s Americas Zone at the Assembly, which will address several critical areas of basketball development and governance within the Americas and the Caribbean.

GBF President Michael Singh said the Federation remains committed to exposing its executive members to the highest level of basketball governance, ensuring that Guyana’s voice is included in shaping the sport’s direction.

Singh noted that the GBF is pleased to have both Vice-Presidents at the Assembly, which will also be attended by the Federation’s General Secretary, Patrick Haynes.

However, Haynes will participate in his capacity as President of CONCENCABA (the Central America and Caribbean Basketball Confederation) and Vice-President of FIBA Americas.

Haynes is the first Guyanese to head CONCENCABA, one of three sub-zones within FIBA Americas’ governance structure.

“So in reality, Guyana will have three members of the GBF present at the Assembly, and we’re hoping to contribute meaningfully to some of the key areas of discussion,” Singh said.

Meanwhile, Toney, a veteran sports journalist and former President of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA), and Slater, the current President of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), both expressed their enthusiasm for attending the Assembly.

Since their election to the GBF executive in January 2023, both Toney and Slater have played instrumental roles in advancing local basketball.

They spearheaded transformative initiatives, organised national tournaments, coordinated all national team programmes for both men and women, and successfully staged the historic FIBA 3×3 Quest earlier this year, which was the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Singh added that their participation in Mexico will further strengthen the GBF’s capacity to deliver on its mandate, adding, “Their attendance is not only about being present but about representing Guyana basketball on the international stage and ensuring that our impact is felt.”

The GBF continues to stand out among local sports federations for its commitment to building structures, creating opportunities, and working tirelessly to elevate basketball in Guyana.