President Suzette Jackson Encourages Unity and Perseverance Under the Tagline #REBOUND
The 2025 National Basketball Championship officially opened on Saturday, November 1st, at the New Montrose Basketball Facility. The event marked major progress for basketball in St. Vincent and the Grenadines where a national basketball tournament has not taken place in several years. Seven teams will be competing in the Senior 5v5 Division with fixtures to be released soon. In addition, the tournament will feature 3X3 U17 competitions, expanding opportunities for youth participation.
President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Basketball Federation (SVGBF), Suzette Jackson, offered opening remarks, reflecting on the progress made since she took office two years ago. She candidly spoke of the “poor state” in which she met the Federation, acknowledging ongoing challenges related to a lack of human and financial resources. President Jackson expressed gratitude to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Olympic Committee (NOC) for their continuous financial support over the years. In her address, Jackson highlighted the Federation’s tagline #REBOUND, “Rebounds win games, but they also serve as a reminder to keep pushing forward when you feel defeated in basketball and in life.”
The ceremony featured remarks from FIBA Americas Board Member, CONCENCABA General Secretary and SVG Sports Ambassador, Sabrina Mitchell. She announced tentative plans for a Caribbean FIBA Men’s Qualifying Tournament in 2026, expressing her hope to see SVG once again represented on the international stage. She expressed her full confidence in Suzette Jackson and the current executive, while also urging members of the basketball community to lend their time, talent and skills to help the sport grow across the nation.
The Executive also outlined future initiatives aimed at strengthening inclusivity and community engagement within the sport. Particular emphasis was placed on addressing the underrepresentation of women in basketball, and advancing the community development mandate. Games Secretary Vasha Adams, recognised for her participation in a 2024 apprenticeship held in the US, is working with the SVGBF to develop its own program to engage women in basketball based on the insights she gained from that experience. For the community development projects, the Federation highlights a commitment towards key communities and schools across the country. This engagement is aimed at encouraging the youth to play basketball while fostering community spirit.
The opening ceremony concluded with the Players’ Pledge, delivered by Junior Peters, followed by an exciting exhibition game between the Arnos Vale Heatseekers and the Sion Hill Pacers, with Heatseekers emerging victorious 43 to 40.
With the 2025 National Basketball Championship now underway, the SVGBF invites the public to support the games.
This news release is officially from SVGBF.
