Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
THE 2005-2006 High School Basketball Championships tipped off at the National Stadium Courts on Friday with news of a 600,000-dollar increase in sponsorship from title sponsors KFC.
A total of 98 teams from 54 schools are scheduled to take part in this year's competition and according to KFC marketing director, Tina Matalon, this is a very encouraging sign.
"The fact that we have 54 schools taking part this year shows us how much the league has grown and the dedication that has gone into the sport and this alone makes us very proud," she said.
The schools will be split up traditionally into a Western Conference, Northern Conference, Central Conference and a Southern Conference.
INCREASED SPONSORSHIP
The corporate giants raised their sponsorship from $2 million last year to $2.6m this year. But in addition to the increase in sponsorship, Matalon also announced plans for the development of some of the courts used for play, in the aim to continue the development of the sport.
Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) president Clement Radcliffe was pleased with the announcement of plans for infrastructural development.
"I am very happy with the announcement because it is with effective courts and continued hard work from the players that will eventually build the game," he observed.
He encouraged the players to continue to show discipline and hard work in their play so as to honour the commitment of the sponsors.
In the Under 16 game that preceded the opening ceremony Calabar High, led by Anthony Lugg who had 16 points, got the better of St. Catherine High 44-24. Kendron Christopher top scored for St. Catherine with six points.
