About 50 men and boys gathered at the Camana Bay outdoor courts on Saturday, 20 Nov., for the third annual International Men’s Day basketball tournament in celebration of International Men’s Day.
“COVID restricted us a lot but it’s definitely a nice turnout,” Ed Pellot-Rosa, director of operations for Eagle Sports Academy, one of the event organisers along with the Family Resource Centre, told the Cayman Compass.
The pandemic posed several logistical challenges leading up to the event, according to Pellot-Rosa.
“Due to the [COVID] regulations, it’s been hard to get indoors,” he said. “We were motivated to have the event even though there were a lot of restrictions. We want to continue to see this event grow.”
Players ranging from 12 to 20 years old took part, Pellot-Rosa said, adding that men’s health and leadership played a big factor throughout the tournament.
“We’re trying to use basketball as a tool to create a healthier Cayman society,” he said. “We understand [how] sports… can [help] combat mental health issues but just overall [we’re] trying to create positive interactions between juniors and senior men.”
Several players took home individual trophies, with the NNS Hoopsters, who won first place in both the junior and senior division, taking home cash prizes.
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