ST. JOHNS (Antigua) - The Antigua and Barbuda Basketball Association (ABBA) continues to explore ways to develop the sport and its players with smart activities that go beyond the court, in search of the holistic well-being of the athletes.

One of his most recent activities was the celebration of a Health Fair at the JSC Sports Complex, which included medical evaluations and free services in visual and dental care and other examinations such as blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and blood pressure. The effort was a joint effort of the association and volunteer doctors and nurses.

"We have noticed over the years that players do not know their health situation," ABBA president Kebra Nanton told FIBA.basketball. "So to prevent any unexpected health problems we have decided to do this annual event. We want to do it every year before the season starts."

The initiative seeks to create awareness among athletes - of all sports - about possible health risks that could impede their athletic performance in the future or in the short term. The main objective of the association is to create activities that are long-lived and that have repercussions on future generations.

"My focus for the rest of the year is to put in place a correct structure for the continuous development of youth players. I would love to create a program that - even after I'm not president - continues to work," Nanton said.

Although they recently replaced the surface of their court, Antigua and Barbuda needs a better indoor court that allows them to hold international tournaments and stimulate the creation of more activities locally.

"I would also like to get an adequate facility," says Nanton. "I think having that facility would transform basketball here on the island. I see many good things happening now, even with what [little] we have."

The president who took office earlier this year successfully celebrated the recently concluded tournament of their National League, where the F & G Trading Cuties Ovals Ojays took the championship and said that basketball enjoys good popularity in the islands and that it is more a matter of consistency.

"Interest [in basketball] is definitely growing. We only have to implement our initiatives for them. We have had some camps. But I would like to see continuous development on a weekly basis, both for 3x3 and basketball. It's just taking us longer than we anticipated, "said Nanton.

FIBA