GBF Vice President, Rawle Toney (L) and RS53-ETKEZO proprietor, Ramnaresh Sarwan at their presentation event.

Renowned globally as one of the finest batters to emerge from the West Indies, cricket legend Ramnaresh Sarwan also shares a deep passion for basketball.

The former West Indies captain’s love for the sport has inspired him, behind his RS53-Etkezo Restaurant, to support the Guyana Basketball Federation’s (GBF) One Guyana 3×3 Quest, scheduled for April 5–6 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

“I’m a sportsman, and basketball is one of the sports I love. I played some street ball back in the day, and being a fan of Michael Jordan, I’ve always had an appreciation for the game,” Sarwan told the media after making a presentation to the GBF at the restaurant, located in the Amazonia Mall at Providence.

Beyond his passion for basketball, Sarwan noted that his long-standing friendship with a GBF vice president further motivated him to support the tournament.

Admitting that 3×3 basketball is relatively new to him, the once-dominant right-handed batter noted that the new format for the game piqued his interest, adding that “It’s a new format, and at RS53-Etkzo, we’re known for embracing new ideas and innovations. So, supporting this initiative is exciting.”

Meanwhile, GBF representative Rawle Toney thanked Sarwan for his support, highlighting that it marks the federation’s largest corporate sponsorship to date outside of assistance from the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport.

“This support means a lot to the GBF because it helps cover a critical tournament aspect. On behalf of the federation, I want to express my gratitude to Sarwan for coming on board and for always being willing to support basketball,” Toney said.

He further recalled that Sarwan had previously assisted the national women’s team ahead of the Inter-Guiana Games, purchasing and donating basketball shoes for the players. “He didn’t want any publicity, but it’s important to highlight that he has always been a strong supporter of athletes,” Toney added.

Looking ahead to the tournament, Toney noted that the GBF is finalizing preparations to ensure the successful staging of what is set to be the largest 3×3 basketball tournament in the English-speaking Caribbean.

He highlighted that the federation has meticulously addressed logistical aspects to host an event that will bring some of the best 3×3 players in the world to Guyana.