The Tribune

THE Hope Centre and Youth Against Violence announced plans for the 19th Annual Peace on da Streets Basketball Classic July 16-19 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

“Youth Against Violence is committed to the continued fight against crime and violence in our country. We will continue to provide positive alternatives and solutions to this vexing problem,” said tournament organiser Carlos Reid.

“We refuse to sit on the sidelines and hope that it will get better because the reality is that it won’t get better until every law abiding and sensible citizen comes to a place where we can accept that no Government or Police Force can solve or manage crime without the support of the people.”

This year’s event will consist of five different divisions: 13 & Under; 16 & Under; 19 & Under; Church Division and Open Division.

The tournament’s Family Night is slated for 5pm July 19. It will feature the championship games, the 3-point Shoot-Out and the Slam Dunk Contest, which has been featured on ESPN for the past three (3) years. Last year’s champion Able Joseph will be back to defend his title and “Werm” out of Ft Lauderdale has already consented to come back to regain his crown.

The celebrity game this year will feature Members of Parliament combined with the Pastors who will play against a team comprised of senior members of the Police and Defence Forces.

Additionally, the Reach Out Ministries from Freeport, Grand Bahama will also be back.

“Once again, we expect a number of our Bahamian college players to play this summer, as this event has become an elite basketball tournament in the Bahamas,” Reid said. “Our Classic has become the most highly anticipated summer event in New Providence and over the past several years we have attracted some college recruiting coaches from the United States who come down with the hopes of offering scholarships to some of our young players.

“We would like to thank the public for supporting us over the years and we look forward to your continued support. We would also like to thank our sponsors without whom this event would not be possible.”