Africa to Canada 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and Fun Day this Sunday
Published on June 19, 2012 under National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(Saint John, NB): Join the Africa to Canada committee on Sunday, June. 24th at the Rothesay Common from 12-4pm as the group hosts a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and Fun Day. It is the Grand Finale of many events coordinated to help Modibo Diarra, his wife Mariam and his three year old daughter Cindy, leave Mali, Africa.
The country is currently experiencing a coup d'etat and "fell into turmoil when the North was captured by a loose coalition of Tuareg separatists and Islamist radicals", as reported Monday in The Globe and Mail.
Mentioned in the Telegraph Journal by Randy O'Donnell on Friday, June. 15th, the tournament was inspired by seven year old Kayla McCullogh, daughter of Rebecca and Geoffrey McCullogh.
"Modibo is a wonderful, kind person and my eldest daughter, Kayla, was really touched by Modibo's incredible story about how he got out of Africa," Rebecca McCullogh said.
The tournament will be a fun day not only for basketball fans and players, but for anyone who enjoys barbecued ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, prizes, face painting, balloon artists, bouncy castles and live entertainment. The Play Dates will be performing all afternoon. Teams will be divided into three categories: under 12, under 16 and adult division.
On site will be Larry Clark & Mark Toner with Investors Group, a sponsor of the Saint John Mill Rats during their 2011-2012 season. They will be set up with their full trailer equipped with barbecues to feed the hungry participants and their fans. For Stephen Deluca fans, his personal Mill Rats jacket will be auctioned off, along with a framed signed Mill Rats jersey from their first season here.
Montana's Cookhouse, known for their ribs, steaks, rotisserie chicken and other lodge fare, will be barbecuing and selling rib meals all day during the tournament. Proceeds will go towards the Africa to Canada fund.
John Jarvis, owner of Grand Bay HomeHardware & Building Centre, has graciously donated a barbecue to be auctioned off during the event. Clarke Buskard, owner of Montana's Cookhouse has offered to match the auction price for the barbecue up to its retail value in an effort to rescue Diarra and family.
All three companies have supported the team during its time thus far in Saint John whether in sponsorship or advertisement.
"We have raised approximately 80% of our $15,000 goal. Diarra's paperwork has been sent to the Canadian Embassy in Senegal and now we wait and hope for the Visas to be approved for Mariam and Cindy. This is expected to take another two weeks", said Apryll Stansfield, Media Relations for the Mill Rats.
"The community support we have received since the committee formed to help out our dear friend and player Modibo Diarra, has been tremendous. We are so appreciative - it's incredible. We are proud and happy to have made Saint John our home", says Ian McCarthy, General Manager of the Saint John Mill Rats.
With over 20 teams already registered, Rebecca McCullogh hopes to encourage more to join. Those who wish to register can do so by filling out the registration form via the Mill Rats website and emailing it to rebecca.mccullogh@rns.ca.
Registration has been pushed to Saturday, June. 23rd at noon.
For questions and to register please call Rebecca McCullogh at 1-506-849-1692.
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from June 19, 2012
- Africa to Canada 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and Fun Day this Sunday - Saint John Riptide
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