NSC lauds Basketball Federation as ‘model of governance’ following stellar 2025 season

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has formally recognised the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) as one of the nation’s most functional sporting bodies, following a high-level strategic review of the Federation’s record-breaking 2025 calendar.

The engagement, held as part of the NSC’s ongoing mandate to strengthen national sport governance, featured Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, Assistant Director Melisa Dow-Richardson, and GBF Vice President Rawle Toney.

The meeting served as both a retrospective of a demanding year and a tactical planning session for an ambitious 2026.

The NSC highlighted the GBF’s ability to maintain a balanced and high-intensity calendar throughout 2025.

Vice President Rawle Toney noted that the Federation successfully delivered three major pillars of competition that elevated Guyana’s standing in the FIBA regional hierarchy:

• The One Guyana 3×3 Quest: A high-octane international tournament that showcased the shorter format’s growth.
• Women’s Caribbean Championship: A significant milestone in gender-inclusive sport development for the region.
• One Guyana Premier League: Cited as the largest basketball league in the Caribbean, providing a sustained platform for local elite talent.

“2025 was demanding but rewarding,” Toney stated. “The Premier League, in particular, has not only elevated the standard of play but has professionalised the environment for our athletes and officials.”

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle reiterated that the GBF’s recognition as the 2024 Sports Association of the Year was no fluke, but rather a testament to the leadership of President Michael Singh.

“The GBF remains one of the most active and functional federations in Guyana,” Ninvalle remarked. “Their ability to execute both grassroots programmes and international events across both male and female categories is a blueprint for effective governance.”

With the GBF rolling out an “expansive development plan” for 2026, the Federation signalled that its partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport will be more critical than ever.

The upcoming cycle aims to strengthen the game’s footprint locally while increasing Guyana’s participation in regional and international qualifiers.

Ninvalle assured the Federation that the NSC “stands firmly behind its goals,” promising continued logistical and financial support to bring these new initiatives to fruition.

The NSC’s engagement with the GBF is part of a broader series of meetings with National Associations intended to ensure that Guyana’s sporting sector remains on an upward trajectory of performance and development.