Florida resident 11-year-old Luis Fort, recently had a dream summer camp experience in the Cayman Islands, as part of the annual Orlando Magic Basketball Camp, hosted by the Cayman Islands Basketball Association (CIBA) and sponsored by the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.

Luis won the prize trip, courtesy of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, which offered a sweepstakes whereby young basketball players in Florida could have the opportunity to participate in a camp in Cayman. Luis was accompanied by his mother Noemi Fort and the two stayed at Sunshine Suites, which donated the four-night stay in support of the DOT’s programme. Round-trip airfare was provided courtesy of Cayman Airways.

The pair also received complimentary entry to popular island attractions, Cayman Turtle Farm, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and Pedro St. James Castle.

“Partnering with the Orlando Magic Basketball presented an exciting and viable opportunity to bring visibility of the Cayman Islands to a new audience of young basketball players and their families,” said Shomari Scott, Acting Director of Tourism. “Direct benefits to the destination included exposure for the Cayman Islands on a dedicated page on the Orlando Magic youth basketball site and inclusion in 16,000 promotional brochures. Additionally, the Department of Tourism will be able to leverage the relationship by directly marketing to the Orlando Magic’s summer camp database of 7,500 families to promote family friendly offers such as Cayman Summer Splash.”

Over the week-long camp, held at the multi-purpose hall at Cayman International School, Camana Bay, Luis learnt the fundamentals of basketball from the team of Orlando Magic coaches, who conducted the camp. They included professional coaches, players and college students.

Among them were Tom Conrad, Brian Wright, Adam Branch, Adam Teal and Benson Callier. Special guest Charles “Bo” Outlaw was a highlight of the camp for the many participating young players, all aged 7 to 16.

Luis also had the opportunity to interact and make friends with scores of Caymanian youngsters who also attended the camp. Ms Fort was effusive in her praise of the camp organisers and the Department of Tourism, who made the trip possible for her son.

“I sincerely thank the Orlando Magic for this opportunity for Luis. He had an amazing time! Every time I looked at him, he had a huge smile on his face. The coaches were very professional; they all went above and beyond any of my expectations and they made us feel right at home,” Ms. Fort said.

For mother and son, the time spent on island was also a special experience. “The excursions arranged by the Department of Tourism were perfect. We loved the Dolphin experience and the Cayman Turtle Farm. Our driver Chris was very accommodating and the hotel accommodation was great,” she said.

Michael Loulan, Client Services Coordinator of Orlando Magic, thanked the Department of Tourism for facilitating another successful summer camp for the popular basketball franchise. “It was a pleasure working with the DOT. Everyone was pleasant and helpful and provided service which went above and beyond, which made all the difference,” Mr. Loulan noted.

Premier McKeeva Bush lauded the CIBA and DOT for hosting another successful camp for the third year running. “The continuing partnership between the Orlando Magic, the Cayman Islands Basketball Association and the Department of Tourism allows scores of young Caymanian basketball players to learn from some of the best in the sport in this annual camp. This is a welcome opportunity through which the talents of our young players can be discovered and nurtured and I am pleased that this summer camp continues to be a part of our sports tourism calendar,” the Premier stated.

Last year’s CIBA-Orlando Magic Basketball Camp included basketball legend Vince Carter, a holder of several NBA records, who was also Rookie of the Year, Slam Dunk Champion and an impressive eight-time NBA All-Star selection.