Students Carry King’s Baton Along Belize City’s Seawall

Belize’s King’s Baton Relay activities continued on Tuesday with a focus on youth participation and environmental action. Students from Saint Catherine’s Academy carried the baton in a relay run to the Baron Bliss Lighthouse, followed by a coastal clean-up along the seawall led by the school’s Oceana Wavemakers Club.

“The idea is basically to pick up all the plastics to try to ensure that the oceans remain for us in the future,” explained Leticia Westby, board member of the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association.

The relay is part of the global King’s Baton journey through all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Belize’s baton design features the national flag, the Blue Hole, Mayan ruins, and symbols of the country’s sporting and cultural heritage. Local artist Keion Griffith was commissioned to create the design.

Westby noted that Belize’s deep Mayan roots are also represented through the traditional ballgame Pok‑ta‑Pok, which is featured on the baton.

“The Mayans have been in Belize or have been on this side of the world from before Christ, and they still remain, and we are still playing the game of Pok-ta-Pok,” she said, adding, “Belize is, I think, or was the world champion a couple years back.”

As part of the week’s activities, organisers will also host a Pok-ta-Pok game on Friday at the Jardin Pachamama Field in Orange Walk.