GBL launch press release
South African basketball is set to experience a rebirth, following the launch of the Gauteng Basketball League (GBL) on Friday, 24 October 2008.
With the support of the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the Gauteng Basketball Association and Pro Sport Consulting have reached a working arrangement whereby one large league will be formed to increase the competitiveness of the sport in the province. In terms of the agreement, Pro Sport Consulting will be mandated to run a successful senior league in Gauteng for the GBA.
According to Cabby Magongwa of Pro Sport Consulting, fans and players alike are expected to welcome the formation of a combined senior league, particularly given the troubled years that basketball has experienced in SA since the mid-1990s.
“We believe the GBL launch signals the birth of the rebuilding of basketball not only in Gauteng, but in the country and hopefully sub-Saharan Africa as a whole.
“The basketball situation cannot get any worse in this country,” Magongwa points out. “However, we believe in the potential growth of the sport and we have drawn inspiration from our recent experience of the NBA game in London, which showcased the spectacle of the game and highlighted its commercial potential in SA.”
The two parties will be outlining their plans and strategy for the league at the launch at Primi Piatti in Rosebank at 10am on 24 October. In addition to the senior league, the focus will also be on developing up-and-coming talent through the junior basketball programme.
“As Gauteng Province, we are proud to partner with the Gauteng Basketball Association as it revives the Gauteng Basketball League,” said MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Barbara Creecy.
“This is yet another example of our Government strategy that seeks to develop, nurture and support talent in striving towards competitiveness and excellence nationally and internationally. Having laid the groundwork financially for this relaunch, as Gauteng, we look forward to a spectacular and action-packed league that will respond to our strategy of promoting Gauteng as the ‘Home of Champions’,” she added.
The GBL launch comes in the wake of the extremely successful Kasi Basketball Tour, a roadshow that travelled through Gauteng’s townships promoting the sport among the youth as well as refurbishing basketball courts. Hundreds of children, technical officials and coaches turned out to take part in this basketball bonanza, signalling that local interest and enthusiasm for the sport is high.
For more information visit www.mybasketball.co.za
Information supplied by Bridget van Oerle
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