Premier Michael Dunkley and the Minister of Social Development and Sports, the Hon. Sylvan Richards, participated in this morning’s (Aug. 26) opening of the 2nd Annual Digicel NBA Jumpstart Programme.
The NBA Jumpstart Programme, which is taking place at the Berkeley Institute gym, will see around 60 (boys and girls) of the Island’s best young basketball players take part in an intense three-day clinic where their skills, determination and personal attitude will be judged by NBA coach Matt Brase and Senior Director of operations Troy Justice.
The top five boys and two girls will be selected to travel to overseas, where they will compete with the top athletes from eight other Caribbean islands in an NBA Elite Camp. A final eight boys and five girls will then be selected by an NBA Coach and legend to travel to the US where they will attend a NBA game, get coaching and get a tour of an NBA arena.
After the event launch, Premier Michael Dunkley expressed his support for the programme saying, “I’m extremely excited to once again show my support for Digicel Bermuda’s 2nd Annual NBA Jumpstart programme. We are fresh off the 2016 Rio Olympics and I’m sure everyone will agree that this year’s Summer Games were nothing short of inspirational and spectacular. I want to once again extend my heartfelt congratulations to all eight of our Olympians who proudly represented our Island. We should all celebrate their achievement, as it is an example of what can be accomplished when one follows their dreams.
“I use this as an example because I believe that our eight Olympians are true sports role models for our young people. They have shown that great things can happen with perseverance, dedication and commitment. These are lessons that our young people can benefit from. I believe that the next few days of the Digicel NBA Jumpstart programme promises to be an amazing opportunity for our young people. They will learn so much about team work, discipline and sportsmanship.
“I want to thank everyone for making this event possible particularly Digicel Bermuda, our local sporting organizations, and especially our parents – and I wish our young people nothing but success over the next few days.”
For more about the NBA Jumpstart Programme contact Digicel Bermuda.
Photos include: Premier Michael Dunkley, Minister Sylvan Richards, NBA coach Matt Brase, Troy Justice, Digicel representatives and Jumpstart student participants.
