BABA to run Women’s League

LOCAL BASKETBALL just can’t deny a woman’s worth.
The fairer sex will have the spotlight to themselves later this year as the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) plans to run its female league by itself in August to better market the women’s game.
BABA president Derrick Garrett made the announcement during yesterday’s press conference to officially announce his body’s partnership with new sponsor Co-operators General Insurance.
“What we have decided to do in terms of the women’s league is to have the women showcase themselves without competition from the men’s leagues,” disclosed Garrett. “We believe this will help in the further development of the women’s programme with regard to media attention and exposure, plus we realise there is a market for the women’s game.
“Last year, we found the women’s final between Station Hill Cavaliers and UWI Blackbirds had a lot of interest, even more so than a lot of the men’s games to the point where crowds were coming  out to those games so we know there is indeed a market,” he added.
It’s just the latest shakeup for the on-going domestic season following the revamping of the men’s leagues which has seen every team seeking promotion being grouped in one division right below the Premier League.
Garrett also revealed that the junior club tournament will be run by the executive again this year after the under-20 competition failed to come off in 2013 due to a lack of funding for coordinators, Conscendo Inc.
The tournament was previously held by the BABA from its inception in 2006 up until 2011 when the Conscendo group eventually picked up the competition under the patronage of sharp-shooting Miami Heat forward James Jones. (JM)