The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

REACH Out Youth Organisation (ROYO) has announced the return of its basketball jamboree, with a battle between Grand Bahama pastors and politicians.

Dudley Seide, founder of ROYO, said the purpose of the tournament is to bring the entire community together for a night of fun, culminating a month of youth activities organised by the group.

He said the tournament is being held under the theme, "Let's Save Our Youth."

"We are losing too many of our young people to violence; if we all join together and reach out to the young people we can make a dent in crime," said Mr Seide.

The basketball event will begin on Friday, November 3 at 6pm at the Jack Hayward High School Gymnasium. It ends Saturday at noon.

Mr Seide has received confirmation from participating politicians, including Grand Bahama MPs Michael Pintard, Iram Lewis, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe, Fredrick McAlpine, as well as City of Freeport Council members, to be coached by Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest and Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson.

The participating pastors are Orin McPhee, Robert Lockhart, Bruce Russell, Kyle Maycock, Ricardo Grant, Ken Strachan, and Simeon Outten.

Mr Seide said there will be games on Friday night with teams from the police force, the Bahamas Broadcasting Corporation, taxi drivers, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, youth leaders and other youth teams. He is urging the public to support the event. He said door prizes are available.

Mr Seide said that there will also be a slam dunk contest. Youth teams must register on Friday evening. The age groups are 13 and under, 15 and under, and under 18.