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The 25th staging of the annual Jamaica Basketball Association Star Search and Life Skills Development Camp got underway on Monday at GC Foster College in the auditorium.

 

Over 105 participants from across the island, inclusive of the under 23 team to the CAC games, were present. The camp is staged yearly to unearth and aid the development of young basketball players.

 

Over the years, a number of players have received scholarships from the many overseas coaches and scouts that participate in the one-week camp.

 

KFC is the title sponsor along with a Bob and Rita Marley Foundations, and Lasco Oats as well as GC Foster College.

 

The camp ends on Friday with a presentation and awards function.

 

Of the 18 coaches, 15 are local with the other three being based in the US, plus 10 scouts that is looking for talents. Paulton Gordon is the President of the Jamaica Basketball Association, while Andre Roper is a Marketing Manager at KFC, and Daniel Gayle, one of the overseas coaches from Overtime Elite Camp in the USA. They were all on hand for the opening ceremony.

 

Gordon said, “Annual KFC Star Search camp is something that we look forward to. It is a staple for the youngsters and it has it is where talent is actually born. So, we are happy that we are able to do this for yet another year.”

 

He said, “We have 15 or 15 to 18 coaches this year. Most of them are local this year and we have a couple overseas coaches who are looking around for talent. But the good thing about that they have a base of colleges overseas that they have a relationship with. So, in terms of spreading the word in terms of any talent that is identified we are they are on point as it relates to that.”

 

Gordon said the coaching resources are where the organisation wants it, yet again, this year.

“We look forward to another great year of instruction from these coaches. What we try to do this year is to ensure that we identify the youngsters who we know will emerge to the next level. So, we have approximately 100 of those youngsters here, boys and girls who are part of this camp and it's more streamlined and main and mainstream in terms of um information and in terms of technology support. So, we are looking for in terms of quality certainly a better year.”

 

Roper told CVM, “Last year KFC support celebrated 50 years in Jamaica. And so, to think that half of that time has been spent as a member of the Star Search family, it's really amazing, being a part of a platform which is really helping to showcase the best in our young basketball talent. We love the fact that it's not just a basketball camp but it's a live skills camp and so we are empowering the youngsters with tools that are going to benefit them not just on the court but off.”

 

He continued, praising the initiative. “Fantastic work by JABA, fantastic work by the coaches. Love the talent that we're seeing and the talent that's going to be on display throughout the course of the week. And for us at KFC, it's important, you know, youth development through sports –  critical platform for us um as we look to give our youngsters the best possible outlet to realize their full potential.”

 

Gayle, of high school league, Overtime Elite Camp, told CVM, “Definitely there's some guys and girls here that, you know, if they continue, and I, you know, I see the talent, definitely some contacts, you know, I'll be able to help share with some coaches and connections I have over in the state side. A lot of campers out here, mixed abilities, some really good hard workers. So, I'm looking forward to seeing what the week brings.”