Could Fi WE Boledo  Fund Belize’s Sporting Future?

Belizeans are projected to spend more than $144 million on Fi We Boledo this year, and Lottery Board Chair Narda Garcia believes more of that money could be channeled into developing the country’s athletes and sports programmes.

During Belize’s first National Sports Summit on Tuesday, Garcia said Fi We Boledo generated $144 million in revenue during the 2025–2026 fiscal year. After paying approximately $100 million to winners and covering other expenses, the lottery recorded a net profit of $27.4 million.

Of that profit, the Ministry of Sports received $2 million, or roughly 7%, for sports development.

Garcia said the current contribution could be increased, particularly as the government looks to implement a more coordinated approach to sports development and provide greater support to sporting associations.

“Again, there is a little bit more that maybe we can give to sports, to ensure that pilot programme you have now to take the overhead of the associations and help them with that, that’s gonna go a long way,” Garcia said.

The projected contribution comes as sport leaders work on a longer-term strategy. The approach includes strengthening sporting associations, pooling resources and creating systems to identify and develop athletes from a younger age. 

Plans also include expanding the Marion Jones Sport Complex model by building three more high-performance sporting complexes across Belize, including one in Orange Walk District, one in Cayo District, and the other in one of the two southern districts, according to Minister of Sports Anthony Mahler. 

A major question on the table now is: if Belizeans are spending millions on Boledo, how much of that money should be reinvested into the athletes and sporting system they help finance?