Guyana’s women basketball team- stranded  in Antigua due to Redjet’s suspension of operations- is due return home later Tuesday, according to the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF).

GABF said Ansa Mc Al and Digicel teamed up to purchase the return tickets after efforts failed to contact senior officials of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport.

“Appeals were made to the corporate sponsors Ansa McAl and Digicel, since efforts to contact senior officials at the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture for assistance proved fruitless,” the GABF said in a statement.

Calls for help followed after they were “hard pressed to find additional funding to return home via LIAT,” GABF said.

The team and manager are due to arrive aboard a Caribbean Airlines flight.

They were Sunday crowned champions of the 12th Annual Gillian Brazier Basketball Championship.

The GABF thanked Ansa Mc Al and Digicel for footing the airline bill, saying that it was a mark of “social responsibility, caring and concern for citizens in need.

Also singled out for special mention was the staff of “Caribbean Travel” travel agency who at short notice made the necessary arrangements for the team’s return on Tuesday March 20th.

“The GABF would also like to thank Caribbean Airlines and all the individuals who offered their assistance to the team. It is indeed heartening to see this outpouring of support from so many Guyanese,” the basketball authority added.