Minister Praises Kareem Queeley’s Basketball Camp
BASSETERRE — Minister of Sport the Hon. Samal Duggins has praised Kittitian-British professional basketball player Kareem Queeley for leading the Dream Hoops Academy Basketball Camp this week at the revitalized SKABA Basketball City, calling the initiative proof that the facility is fulfilling its intended purpose of creating opportunities for the nation’s youth.
The camp is using the recently upgraded court to help young athletes sharpen their basketball skills while building discipline, confidence and teamwork, according to Duggins.
“One of the things that gives me the greatest satisfaction is seeing our sporting facilities doing exactly what they were intended to do, creating opportunities for our young people to learn, develop and dream bigger,” Duggins said.
The minister said the revitalization of SKABA Basketball City was about more than repairing a court. It was aimed at restoring a space where grassroots programmes, clubs, coaches and athletes could thrive again.
“The revitalization of SKABA Basketball City was never simply about improving a court. It was about restoring an important space where grassroots programmes, clubs, coaches and athletes could once again thrive,” he said.
Duggins commended Queeley and his team for investing their time and experience in developing young people in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“I commend Kareem and his team for choosing to give back and for investing their time and experience in the next generation. Facilities matter, but it is the programmes, coaches, mentors and young people who bring them to life,” he said.
Queeley currently plays professionally for the Surrey 89ers in England’s Super League Basketball. Born in 2001 to Kittitian roots, he came up through England’s youth basketball ranks with the Leicester Warriors before joining Real Madrid’s junior system as a teenager. He went on to play professionally in Spain with San Pablo Burgos, featuring on the club’s squad that won the Basketball Champions League title in 2020, and represented England and Great Britain at various youth international levels.
The minister added that government’s role is to keep creating and improving the environments where such opportunities can flourish.
“Our responsibility is to continue creating and improving the environments where opportunities like these can flourish. Seeing Basketball City active, purposeful and filled with young people is exactly why this work matters. Investing in facilities. Creating opportunities. Building the next generation,” Duggins said.
