The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHEN the 22nd version of the 'Peace on da Street' Basketball Classic is held next month, the Hope Centre and Youth Against Violence will show off its new outdoor basketball facility on their church grounds.

With Aliv as its major sponsor, tournament director Dr Carlos Reid said all of the games in the double elimination format will be played July 10-15 in five different categories up to the final round, which includes the championship games that will be carried live on television.

"We have developed a sporting complex, which is second to none," said Reid of their facilities. "I believer that we can boost that we have the best basketball court in Nassau right now and we have been carrying the name Peace on Da Streets for so long, but it was in the gym.

"We want it to become connected with the community and if you pass here on any given night, you will see hundreds of young men on this basketball court. We are pleased to have the Bahamas to come down and see what we have developed."

By the time they are ready to play, Reid said they intend to have two courts functioning to cater to the many games they will host, thanks to the generosity of KFC, who have agreed to purchase two more basketball backboards and posts to be erected.

Teams will get to display their skills in the Jamaica Bahamas 13-and-under division, the Negril Café 16-and-under division, the Sol Bahamas 19-and-under division, the Sky Bahamas Church Division and the Vitamalt Open Division.

With all of the divisions just about stack, Reid said there is the possibility that they may have to increase the teams participating.

Additionally, there will also be the Sunshine Auto 3-point shoot-out, the Rubis Slam Dunk contest and the crowd pleasing Pastors versus Politicians feature contest.

"Our organization is committed to the continued fight against crime and violence in our country," Reid said. "We are committed to providing positive alternatives and solutions to help our young people discover their individual identities and turn from crime and violence.

"If we are ever going to have a better and stronger Bahamas, then every law abiding and sensitive thinking citizen of the Bahamas must step to the plate and contribute their time, talents and resources.

"We cannot and most not depend on the Government, the Police Force, Churches or any other organization to solve our community issues. The truth of the matter is that it is each of our responsibility."

Powered by Aliv

Bianca Bethel-Sawyer, the Events and Sponsorship Manager at Aliv, said the country's newest telecommunication company is pleased to be a part of this year's tournament as the major sponsor.

"Our sponsorship includes financial support, which we hope will defray the cost of this event," she said. "Sports and by extension basketball is very popular across the country.

"We feel as though whenever we invest in our youth, especially our young men, it impacts the entire community and produces a better society. We know that young men represent our future and with crime being so high, we hope that this event is actually actually be able to do what indeed it said it will do and that is being peace on the streets."

Rubis Slam Dunk

Contest

Shireen Seymour, Retail Sales Executive at Rubis Bahamas Limited said they are delighted to have the opportunity to assist in the initiative as it adds to the academic favor they enjoyed in the recent sponsorship of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards.

"When Dr Reid reached out to us to be a part of this initiative, we were more than happy to lend our support," she stated. "To all of the competitors that will be competing in this event, especially those in the Rubis Slam Dunk competition, we wish for the best.

"We have an amazing cash prize that you would want to grab a whole of, so we want you to bring you're a game to it and Dr Reid we want you to know that you have our commitment in more investments in our young people and we appreciate your continued and unwavering commitment to doing that."

The Slam Dunk contest, according to Reid, will see the return of defending champion 'Werm' out of Fort Lauderdale, who will be among of the list of contenders for the $1,000 cash prize.

Sol 19-And-Under

Division

Valentino Hanna, Sales and Marketing manager at Sol Petroleum Bahamas Limited, said as a proud supporter of the community for over 100 years and in particular the Esso Junior Junkanoo Parade, which celebrated its 29th year in 2016.

"We're encouraged by Dr Reid's efforts to assist at-risk youths and we continue to be a supporter on this event and other events that Dr Reid will have in the future," he stated.

Reach Out Ministries are the defending champions in not only the 9-and-under, but also the Negril Café 16-and-under division and Reid said another team from Grand Bahama is expected to join them this year.

Vitamalt Open Division

Dominique Butler, the Vitamalt brand representative, said they are also very proud to be a sponsor of the tournament and they look forward to this being another form of them targeting the young people in our society.

"Vitamalt is known in the country as a stable beverage and we want persons in the community to know that we are here to take care of you," she stressed.

"So when Mr Reid approached us about this effort, we did not hesitate. We look forward to the event. It's something different for us. We have done something like this is the past like GSSSA and Huge Campbell, so it's something that we will continue to support."

Who will win the Pastors vs Politicians game?

With a change in the make-up of the government, Reid said the Politicians have some new breed in Shenandoah Cartwright, Halson Moultrie and Vaughn Miller, who have vowed to dethrone the Pastors this year.

"Last year, the game was not so much for laughs," Reid said. "We had a good game last year. But I see that game being awesome this year. We will hear as the weeks gone by, persons who will be participating from time to time."

He said the public can check out their facebook page for regular updates.