Jayson Williams Basketball Academy inaugurated at Suhum

On Easter Monday, the Jayson Williams Basketball Academy was inaugurated with a maiden basketball competition held at the premises of Suhum Senior High Technical School (SUTESCO).

The Academy, sponsored by two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) based in the United States of America, was established to groom young students to develop the interest in basketball.

The NGOs are; Family Health and Education Foundation International based in New York and it is headed by Reverend Stephen Douglas Kwakye, an International Evangelist; and the Jayson Williams Academy Basketball International based in Roosevelt, New York.

Apostle Dr Kwabena Kwakye Yeboah, the Headmaster of the SUTESCO, expressed appreciation for the establishment of the Academy adding that the court will always be ready for use by all interested schools in the Eastern Region.

He said though the Easter holidays was in session, six schools agreed to participate in the event adding that more schools had shown willingness to participate in the next edition.

During the competition, Ofori Panin Senior High School (OPASS) from Kukurantumi was adjudged the best and was awarded a trophy and a basketball by Mr Michael Anim Okoto, the Eastern Regional Physical Education Coordinator.

SUTESCO and Ghana Senior High School (GHANASS) placed second and third respectively and they also received similar trophies and basketballs

Other participating schools included: Saint Paul Technical School (SPATS) based in Kukurantumi, Presbyterian Secondary School based in Begoro and Kibi Secondary Technical School (KISHTS).

Speaking to Ghana News Agency Mr Jayson Williams, a professional basketball coach based in the USA, said the Jayson Williams Basketball Academy in Ghana, was established in January 2016 to help groom young basketball players to the international level.

He said he would return to Ghana in July 2016 for a two-week "skills-camp" to teach the youth various basketball skills.

Mr Williams said as part of their activities, in 2017 excelling players would be selected from the participating schools to spend four weeks in the USA for further training.

He urged the youth to take their studies seriously as those who would exhibit very good talents on the courts and in the academic work would be sponsored by Jayson Williams Basketball Academy International for further studies.

Rev Kwakye said the Academy would be used to promote Christian evangelism to help change social vices among the youth.