GBF maps out ambitious, action-packed calendar for 2026

The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has unveiled a comprehensive and far-reaching competition calendar for 2026, underscoring what President Michael Singh has described as one of the busiest and most ambitious years in the Federation’s history.

Spanning grassroots development, domestic leagues, regional engagements and major international tournaments, the 2026 calendar reflects GBF’s continued commitment to strengthening basketball at every level, while ensuring sustained exposure for both the men’s and women’s national programmes.

President Singh, in highlighting the scope of the calendar, noted that 2026 represents a critical phase in the Federation’s vision for the sport.

He underlined that the packed schedule is a deliberate effort to create consistent competition, build depth across age groups, and position Guyana more competitively on the regional and international stage.

The year opens in January with the School Basketball League (U-18 Boys), running through to March, reinforcing GBF’s focus on youth development. That initiative is quickly followed by the Four Nations Cup in Suriname, giving the senior programme an early test against regional opposition.

Domestic basketball remains a major pillar of the calendar, with the One Guyana Premier Basketball League set for February, complemented by the continued growth of 3×3 basketball through events, such as the Edge Series Lite Quest, One Guyana 3×3 Quest, GBF 3×3 Championship, and multiple Schools 3×3 Challenges across Georgetown, Linden and Berbice.

Women’s basketball features prominently throughout the year, with the GBF 3×3 Women’s Challenge, the Guyana Women in Basketball Association (GWiBA) Women’s League, and international opportunities including the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Qualifier and the FIBA Women’s Centrobasket Championship.

Singh has consistently pointed to the women’s programme as a key growth area, noting that sustained competition is vital for closing the performance gap at the international level.

On the international front, 2026 is particularly demanding.

Guyana will contest the Junior South American Games (3×3 U-19) in Panama, the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 CBC Pre-Qualifiers, FIBA U-16 and U-16 Women’s AmeriCup Division B Qualifiers, and the Central American and Caribbean Games, which include both traditional and 3×3 basketball in the Dominican Republic.

August stands out as one of the most intense months, featuring the FIBA Centrobasket U-17 Qualifiers for both men and women, the FIBA Women’s Centrobasket Championship, and the FIBA 3×3 U-23 Nations League Americas Conference.

The latter half of the year continues with the High School Basketball League, club knockout championships in Linden and Berbice, the Inter-Guiana Games in Suriname, and culminates with the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup in Mexico and the Georgetown U-23 Knockout Tournament.

According to Singh, the breadth of the calendar reflects a Federation intent on balancing elite performance with sustainable development.

He stressed that while the year presents logistical and financial challenges, it also offers unprecedented opportunities for players, coaches and officials to gain experience and elevate Guyana’s basketball profile.

With most domestic competitions centered at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and a strong slate of international assignments, the GBF’s 2026 calendar, Singh said, signals a Federation firmly focused on progress, performance and purposeful growth.