Sports - Greater Belize Media

Douglas Langford to Play For Harvard

Three years ago, his parents made the difficult decision to relocate him to the U.S. at the age of fourteen. Today, Douglas Langford Junior committed to playing college basketball at Harvard University. Langford grew up in the Culture Capital, Dangriga. His father, Douglas Langford Senior is a respected basketball player in Belize who had dreams of one day joining the N.B.A. Those dreams were never realized, but when his son came along with similar desires and the dedication to realize that dream, the best option was to get him into a high school basketball program in the U.S. Douglas Langford Junior has been excelling ever since, both academically and athletically. Life has now come full circle for his family, as Langford Junior is one step closer to the N.B.A. News Five’s Paul Lopez tells us more.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Belizean basketball athlete, seventeen-year-old Douglas Langford Junior is headed to Harvard University.

Douglas Langford Jr., Basketball Athlete

“It means a lot to finally get this accomplished, because upon arriving to America my freshman year when I was fourteen the coaches told me you have a lot of potential and you have the ability to change not only your life but your family’s life forever. It was not something I took literally. Harvard was never in my mind.”

Langford has officially committed to playing basketball at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He secured a four-year scholarship that is valued at approximately seven hundred thousand Belize dollars. Born and raised in Dangriga, Langford’s parents decided to relocate him to the U.S. at the age of fourteen.

Terri Langford, Mother of Douglas Langford Jr.

“As a parent dedicated to trying to support your child as any other parent would, you make sacrifices and don’t think about them. You push through, you encourage, you hold on to their hands for as long as you can and then you let go for them to make good decisions, decisions that they will have to uphold as they grow older. For me, watching him grow into the young man they have become has been nothing short of incredible. I know people like seh “monkey nuh seh deh pikni black”? Well, the truth is Douglas Langford has always been a disciplined and dedicated young man.”

Douglas was the captain for team Belize at the FIBA Under-Eighteen AmeriCup 2024 held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in June. Standing at six feet, six inches tall, and weighing in at two hundred pounds, Langford received offers from at least six different tertiary education institutions in the U.S.

Douglas Langford Jr.

“Going into this process of hard work and just seeing how the chips were on the table, I think the best pick was Harvard. It means a lot because yes you can take away basketball, you can take away athleticism, but you can’t take away Harvard, especially a Harvard degree. That is something that will be with me for the rest of my life. That is why this was my best choice. It is just another step in my basketball journey to be a better player and a better person.”

Adding to his accomplishments, Langford was also named the 2024 MVP at the Basketball Without Borders. The NBA basketball camp brought together sixty of the top high-school-age prospects, from seventeen countries, in Brazil.

Paul Lopez

“What would you say you cherish the most, playing for Harvard as an athlete or the academic pursuit aspect at Harvard?”

Douglas Langford Jr.

“I would say, the academic pursuit at Harvard, because it is the best in the world hands down. It doesn’t get any better than that. But, playing basketball there with a head coach who I call a guru. I always had a passion for Coach K at Duke. He was the assistant coach there. And he went to being the head coach at Michigan and then he left. Now he is at Harvard. So, to me it is like if I can’t get Coach K, then I can get a sample of him at Harvard. So, that played a big role.”

We also spoke with Douglas Langford Senior. He was beaming with pride.

Douglas Langford Sr., Father of Douglas Langford Jr.

“My dream was to play in the NBA. I never made it. My son came along, and we made the decision for him to go to the states for him to get better at playing basketball, pursuing his education. It would have been best for us to let lose of him for him to go at the age of fourteen to get that start. I am so proud of him. It is like a dream come true. I would never have thought that when we sent James to the states at the age of fourteen that a day would come when he would commit to Harvard. I never had Harvard in my mind. It is a dream come true and I want to tell him congratulations.”

And his parents are not the only ones filled with joy. Langford has been receiving praises and congratulatory messages across social media from those at home. He begins his journey at Harvard in summer 2025.

Douglas Langford Jr.

“I am proud. It is just something I want to share with the people, because it takes a village to raise a child and I thank everyone for their support, for being in my circle and looking out. It means a lot to see that so many people support me and want to see me do good. So, that means a lot. I can’t let all these people down. And, I just want to say thank you Belize and Belize all the way.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

The Ministry of Sports has issued a release congratulating Langford for commitment to Harvard University. The release says in part, quote, “Langford Jr.’s journey in basketball is characterized by unwavering dedication and resilience. He has been an integral participant in the National Primary School Program, organized by the National Sports Council (NSC), where he developed both his skills and his passion for the sport. His outstanding performance at the recent Argentina Tournament further established his reputation as one of the premier young athletes in the region, ultimately leading to his recruitment by Harvard University”, unquote.

Belizean Athlete Earns Harvard University Basketball Scholarship

Belizean athlete Douglas Langford Jr. has earned a prestigious full four-year scholarship valued at $700,000 BZD (approximately $350,000 USD) to Harvard University in the United States of America. The scholarship is for four years. Orignally from Dangriga, Langford told News 5, “Harvard was never in my mind when I first arrived in the U.S., but the coaches saw potential in me, and now I’m excited about what’s ahead.”

Standing at six feet, six inches, and weighing two hundred pounds, Langford led Team Belize as captain at the 2024 FIBA Under-18 AmeriCup in Argentina. His talents have earned him offers from six U.S. universities, but he chose Harvard not only for its basketball program but for its world-class education. “You can take away basketball, but you can’t take away a Harvard degree,” Langford said, emphasising the importance of both academics and athletics.

Adding to his list of achievements, Langford was named MVP at the 2024 Basketball Without Borders camp in Brazil, where he competed against top prospects from around the globe.

The Ministry of Sports in Belize also congratulated Langford in a statement, praising his dedication and highlighting his impressive journey from the National Primary School Program to becoming one of the top young athletes in the region.

Langford begins his Harvard journey in the summer of 2025.

Belize Participates in U-17 Women’s Volleyball Tournament

Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. Belize is gearing up to shine on the international stage once more in volleyball. A group of under-seventeen female volleyball players travelled to Managua, Nicaragua to compete in the inaugural Under-Seventeen Women’s Central American Volleyball Championship. A total of six countries will be competing in the tournament. Belize plays its first match on Tuesday afternoon against Costa Rica. We spoke with Allan Sharp, the President of the Belize Volleyball Association ahead of the games.

Allan Sharp, President, Belize Volleyball Association

“Before they use to have under twenty-one, under-nineteen for male and for female under-twenty and under-eighteen. But the FIBE changed everything to be the same, so it is under-twenty-one, under-nineteen and under-seventeen. So, the under-seventeen carries a similar cutoff age to what use to be the under-eighteen prior. But this is the first under-seventeen competition that the region is having.”

Paul Lopez

“And of course, the association and the girls couldn’t pass up this opportunity to compete.”

Allan Sharp

“Not at all. We have a total of eight indoor competitions at the internation level to compete in this year. This is the fifth or sixth one. We still have two more. We try to compete, because this is part of the development, a part of preparing the girls and the players to play at the next level as we keep growing. We play against archrival Costa Rica, first game tomorrow at one thirty and then the following day we play Guatemala, another powerhouse. Then after that we play the host Nicaragua. So, we play what are anticipated to be the top three teams, back-to-back to back, then we finish off with Honduras and El Salvador for the week. Five straight days of playing. I think nobody takes us lightly. Every country gets to choose a match and that is why Nicaragua did not choose us as its first match. So, they just had to take us how it landed with the formula did is used. They did not choose us first and I don’t think anybody wants to play us first.”

The games will be streamed live. From volleyball we move into some basketball action. The 2024 William Dawson Sprite Basketball Tournament is well underway. In week ten of the tournament a total of eleven games were played. We bring you highlights from two of the matches played on Sunday. The first between Mahogany Heights and Freetown Ballers. Mahogany Heights is in the blue jersey, their opponents, Freetown Ballers, are in the maroon jersey. Mahogany Heights wins the tipoff. Ball to Jerson Grinage. He looks for the pass and turns the ball over. Freetown Ballers made good on the turnover on the other end to start the scoring.

Larson Marin with a deep three to put Mahogany Heights on the scoreboard. The first quarter ended with Mahogany Heights on top with seven points. They kept Freetown Ballers at three points in the first quarter. Here in the second quarter, Grinage out to Kendale Clare, jump shot of the screen. Rebound and back to Grinage who passes off to Larson Marin and that’s two points. Mahogany Heights now at nine. On the other end, Russel Humes goes in strong under the rim for the bucket. The second quarter ended with a score of twelve to eight points with Mahogany Heights still on top. Freetown Ballers continued to close the gap as the game progressed.

A throw in for Freetown Ballers early in the third quarter. Ball to Matthew Young under rim. He muscles his way up to the rim for the and-one play. Raheim Flowers, down the court, finds Russel Humes under the rim for the beautiful layup. Mahogony Heights’ lead was cut down to one point at the end of the third. The game score was seventeen to sixteen points. Freetown Ballers had their best quarter in the fourth. They went on to score twelve points in a dominant display. Mahogany Heights scored eight points in the final quarter. Ultimately, after losing three quarters, Freetown Ballers won the match. I.G. Ballers also played against Third World Ballers on Sunday. I.G. Ballers played in the green and white jersey, while Third World Ballers played in light and dark green jersey.

An early start for I.G. Ballers with a layup from Augustine Pitterson. Pitterson picks up the turnover and hands the ball off to Jayson Orosco who makes it look easy on the other end. On the other end, Tafaree Sanchez gets the rebound, spins, puts in the ball and draws the foul. He also made the free throw count. Kerdel Tench with the layup to put his team at seven points and gain the lead. The first quarter ended in favor of Third World Ballers with nine points. They held I.G. Ballers down to four points. Glency Coope Lopez with the and-one in the second quarter.

Immediately after, on the other end, Orosco went in for the slam dunk over three defenders, a young superstar that also plays for the under-nineteen national team. This one ended in favor of Third World Ballers with thirty-nine points to I.G. Ballers’ thirty points. Well folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.

Education, Business, Farming, and A Love for Cricket

Perhaps the saying by Sir Thomas Moore that to be humble to superiors is a duty, to equals, a courtesy, to inferiors, nobility best describes Doctor Roy Young. A resident of Bermudian Landing, Young is highly educated and in his own way, continues to provide for students who need to advance in school. He is carrying on with his parents’ dream of managing a resort, but with all of this, he has a tenacious love for the sport of cricket. Young sat with for this week’s edition of Belize on Reel and explained how he managed to juggle it all and how he never let go of the sport, and why it’s important to revive cricket among youths. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

Dr. Roy Young, Cricket Enthusiast

“What I’m trying to do is to, along with others in the area – is to try to grow the area, to improve the area, to see all of our young people come up differently.”

Marion Ali, Reporting

He’s the owner of The Nature Resort situated behind the Community Baboon Sanctuary building in Bermudian Landing. But what many may not know is that Dr Roy Young is also President of the Belize National Cricket Association, a retired educator, a consultant, and a mentor to youths in the area. He came from humble beginnings.

Dr. Roy Young

“I born in this village, I born just months before Hurricane Hattie and our house blew down by the school. And so my parents moved out this side, so we were one of the first out this side of the village, and so we lived here as like a lot of people in the rural. I had to cut – I was the only son in the family, so I had to cut firewood, beat rice, and do those kinds of things. And my grandmother was my direct neighbor, so I also do those things for her.”

In 1979, a terrible flood made travelling between Bermudian Landing and Belize City impassable. That was for him, the imprint for his life’s path, never letting go of agriculture and the environment. But right along with that defining moment was his love for the sport of cricket.

Dr. Roy Young

“As young people in the Belize River Valley, we always have time for cricket. We will find that – and so I played as a young person. I played while I was at St. John’s College, in the high school team. And then I played at the village level when I came out here to teach. Our Summer Fever team was a very good team.”

It was during these halcyon days that Young’s path crossed with Felix Sutherland, a resident of Lemonal. The two share quite a few things in common, including a love for cricket. Theirs would be a friendship that Sutherland says blossomed from then and lasts to this very day.

Felix Sutherland, Friend of Dr. Roy Young

“I went in as a student at Belize Teachers College where he taught me REAP. REAP is an acronym for Relevant – it began as Rural Education for Agricultural Production, but realizing the worth of such a program they quickly changed the rural to relevant education in an effort to offer more schools as a result of relevant. It was offered to urban schools as well. So, he was my REAP lecturer and we have been friends ever since. He’s always one to give positive advice. He’s always one to demonstrate. He teaches by modeling what he would like to see. So he has had a profound influence on my life.”

Apr 24, 2023, Belize to Host Central American Cricket Championship Tournament

Felix Sutherland

“I am his first son’s Godfather so, we are also compadres. Presently, Roy is the President of Belize National Cricket Association. I am the Chairman of the Dispute Committee for the Belize National Cricket Association. So, wherever there’s Roy, I am maybe two steps behind or wherever I am, he may be two steps behind.”

Young says that while he no longer plays competitively, he still takes the field, and it’s always a rejuvenating feeling.

Dr. Roy Young

“I do play on what we call the over-fifty for those players who are fifty years and older. So, we had a nice tournament last time. The National Sports Council came out. The Department of the Youth came out. So we have a blast.”

Young says as President of the Association, he wants to revive the dying sport.

Dr. Roy Young

“That’s part of our mandate, so right now we have a team from Carmelita, which is in Orange Walk. We used to have a team from Belmopan. And so our effort to change that is to introduce cricket to the primary schools. So just before COVID we had teams of coaches going out to five schools in Cayo to teach them about cricket.”

In 2018, Young led the Belize Cricket Team to the regional competition and explained why it was so important for people to learn the game.

(Nov 2, 2021)

Dr. Roy Young, President, Belize National Cricket Association

“For people to know about cricket in Belize, we want to start with the awareness and a lot of people don’t want to play the game because they are scared of the ball. There are different versions of the ball, there are tennis balls, there are softballs and so on. So we have our females also playing now and they played a slightly similar ball to the hardball.”

Felix Sutherland says that although his friend has been successful in education, in his career and in sports, he never let any of it breed arrogance.

Felix Sutherland

“Speaking about Roy and putting him in the spotlight is not something that I would have envisioned because he’s always unassuming. He’s so quiet. He’s always reserved and would never be heard loudly, except whenever his, his professional or scholastic aptitude are requested of him.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Golden Jubilee Honors for Belize’s Golden Girls

Fifty years ago, British Honduras, now Belize, celebrated the country’s first ever gold medal on an international stage. The National Women’s Softball Team, now dubbed the “Golden Girls” were the ones to secure that medal at the twelfth Central American and Caribbean Games. The Golden Girls lost only one match in those games to Puerto Rico. Ironically, they faced off against Puerto Rico in the gold medal match and dominated. The Golden Girls returned home to a hero’s welcome at the international airport, a motorcade through the streets, and sports enthusiasts filling local stadiums to watch the Golden Girls in action. Half of a century later, they were honored as Belizean patriots. But how much does the nation know about and remember the Golden Girls? News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Half a century after the Golden Girls secured the country’s first gold medal in any sport on an international stage, the members of that historic women’s national softball team are being recognized as Belizean patriots. Fifty years ago, they were teenagers with their entire lives ahead of them. Five members of that team have since passed away. The surviving members have aged graciously. We sat down with International Hall of Fame Softball Pitcher Linda Lewis-Brown and her 1974 teammate, Deborah Theus- Sanchez.

Linda Lewis- Brown, Former Softball Athlete

“At that time when we went for that team, I was playing with Berger and she was playing with Guiness. Originally, both of us played for Guiness. We were junior players. We started when they had the Lynchs and the Budna, all the high players that use to go to Jamaica. We aspired to be the same.”

Lewis was sixteen years old at the time. Theus was nineteen years old.

Linda Lewis-Brown

“It was so competitive. The players that was selected really worked hard. We went to practice at four o’clock in the morning. We were working and going to school, and then in the evening and on the weekends my dad made sure I was on the road, the Cemetery Road. We were extremely fit at that time. And Jude Lizama, he is one of the previous coaches, he reminded me that preparing for these games we played against the men team.”

Before being selected for the national team, Lewis and Theus were rivals on the softball field. But, on the national softball team, they were encouraged to put aside their differences and egos to represent Belize. By the time the national selection travelled to the 1974 games in the Dominican Republic, they already had a reputation as one of the dominant teams in the region.

Deborah Theus- Sanchez, Former Softball Athlete

“They would take us to the park like two, three hours before the game. Those teams would be out there throwing ball, batting, running. We were not use to that. We use to get up in the morning practice, go in the evening practice. But we did not have those hours to be out there warming up. Mr. Lashley made a very important decision when he said, look ladies we are not going be out here with these people. Come out, observe what it going on and when it is time for us to play, we will do what we normally do.”

Fifty years later, they have a hard time remembering the exact statistics of each of the games played, except for the gold medal game. In that matchup against Puerto Rico’s national team, they won convincingly over their opponents, fourteen runs to two. News of Belize’s first international gold medal went across the Caribbean and made it back home before their return.

Linda Lewis-Brown

“To tell you the truth, from that day, until we landed, after we landed, the reception we got from the Belizean community was amazing. I could still remember coming at the airport, greeted by a lot of people at the airport. The next day we had a parade. The children were on the sidewalk. It was unbelievable.”

Deborah Theus- Sanchez

“The whole celebration thing was exciting. As a Belizean, it was the first time that you would see a mass of people coming out to see these people that won this gold. It was very exciting to be on that truck and everybody was waving. It was like the tenth of September. We were happy and excited about the parade itself.”

As Theus and Lewis explained, the Golden Girl brought the nation together as they travelled across different softball stadiums to play friendly matches and put their talent on full display. Only a few years later, they both migrated to the U.S.A, which was a common practice at the time for young Belizeans seeking out better opportunities. Today, Theus is enjoying her retirement back home. Lewis frequently travels back to Belize. On this occasion, she returned home to be honored at the Tribute to Belizean Patriots Award Ceremony.

Deborah Theus- Sanchez

“I was honored and humbled to be recognized in that way. But, at the same time I think the team was forgotten, because as an Olympic person I think that is etched in history in whatever country you go to. If you are an Olympian it should be etched in the history in not only the softball, but the entire country of Belize. That means, if you become a minister or something, you should have known about the Golden Girls, because we were the first. We put Belize on the map and I think we should have been recognized a little earlier than now. Even though it is done and we appreciate it. I would appreciate if it could be something that don’t wait until a hundred years to come back and say thank you for what we did, you know.”

Linda Lewis-Brown

“I want to give credit to the prime minister. He did say that this team, he recognize this team as the very first gold medal team. I was very impressed by the way he recognized us. Thinking of it, a lot of people have forgotten us, but in his speech he recognized us and he remembers us.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Belize’s Two-Time Olympian: Shaun Gill’s Legendary Run

In the last decade, the name Shaun Gill has become one that is well-known to Belizeans for his accomplishments in track and field. For nearly twenty years, the thirty-one-year-old athlete worked his way up to becoming one of Belize’s biggest names in running, going on to represent the country twice at the Olympics. Since his early days, Gill has been an advocate for Belizean youths pursuing their dreams. Recently, Gill spoke out about the challenges athletes face in Belize, specifically when it comes to funding for facilities, equipment and transportation. Upon returning home from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gill announced his retirement, choosing instead to pursue a career in his other passion; engineering. In tonight’s edition of Belize on Reel, News Five’s Britney Gordon highlights some of the pivotal moments of Gill’s career and spoke with some of the coaches that aided Gill along the journey.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Imagine having the weight of the country on your back. Thousands of Belizeans depending on you to make your country shine. For Shaun Gill, he didn’t have to imagine. That was his reality. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gill gained international recognition for the pride, passion and patriotism he displayed while waving the Belizean standard as the country’s lone Olympian. But Shaun Gill has been a respected name in track and field for the country for about twenty years, wracking up medals in the Commonwealth Games and the Central American Games. He made his Olympic debut in 2022 in Tokyo.

Shaun Gill, Belizean Olympic Athlete (File: July 6th, 2021)

“It is heart-warming, because it is a dream. As athletes this is what we dream about. The Olympics is the biggest stage when it comes to all the sports, all the disciplines in the world. You know, swimming, track, canoeing, any sport you can think about right. And, this is really the highest stage you can be. And, as a kid growing up this was always the dream. Sometimes it felt like it never would have happened, but I just sticked to the sport. I’ve been in the sports ten fifteen years now and I guess the hard work the pay off now.”

Belize is one of many countries highly underrepresented at the Olympics. To increase diversity, the International Olympic Committee allows countries to send delegates who did not initially qualify to compete in select events. These are known as universality places. In 2021, Gill was selected as one of the athletes to receive a universality place. Gill’s Olympic career did not end there. In 2023, he received an Olympic scholarship which allowed him to finance his training and improve his skills in the hopes of competing at the 2024 Olympic Games. Coach Ryan Dall, who trained with him at Texas A & M University in Kingsville, says that Gill is a natural role model and leader to younger athletes.

Ryan Dall, Coach, Texas A & M University

“It was great working with Shaun. Very hard worker, a very coachable athlete. He always tried to listen to the coaches and do the things that we asked him to do. He was a very good leader for our team, especially as he got older. A lot of the younger athletes really looked up to him and went to him for advice and guidance and things not just about track, but just about life in general. When you have someone who’s been at the Olympics and thing and large international meets. The other athletes really respect that and want to learn from him and learn of his experiences as well. So it was great having him here. We’re definitely going to miss him.”

Being able to represent Belize at the Olympics was an exciting moment in Gill’s career but according to Dall, he celebrated his wins no matter how big or small.

Ryan Dall

“Him competing at two Olympics was certainly memorable. We got to see him on TV and everything like that. So it was very exciting to be able to do that. And then Shaun, there were several races. I remember one here at home that he ran. He had been, I think, stagnant in his progression for a little while. And then he ran. We had a home game, I think it was, and he ran a new personal best, and he was real excited about that. And obviously we were all excited for him.”

One of the challenges Gill faced in his career was the lack of resources in Belize. Sports continue to be severely underfunded, and the facilities remain in disrepair.

Shaun Gill (File: August 15^th, 2024)

“It takes a lot. It’s going to take heavy investment from the sporting bodies here in Belize. Obviously, heavy investment from the government. We do need the fan support from our Belizeans. And aside from that, especially with track and field, we don’t necessarily have the facilities. So most people, not even just the Caribbean countries, but most people leave their country to find better environments for training. I mean, even some of the great world class athletes, they leave their country and go to Jamaica because they know that Jamaica is the Mecca for sprinting. So we kind of have to look at it and start doing the same.”

Still, Gill pushed on due to his love for the sport. The reality of the of the matter is that being a full-time athlete is difficult to accomplish in Belize, many resort to participating in sports as a hobby. Frederick Evans, a Belizean coach, has been training athletes since the 1960’s. He says that the terrible condition of the facilities is a contributing factor as to why track and field athletes do not thrive in Belize.

Frederick Evans, Belizean Coach

“Towards the end, Shaun came to Belize. He tried to train here, but this track is just about done. As soon as he did a little bit of running here, he started to have pain because the track is unresponsive. It’s like hard instead of give and take. So he had to limit whatever little bit he could do here. And he was supposed to go back to Houston, to Texas, to train with his coach. But there was, and I really don’t know what all this was about, but there was some kind of financial problem, which made him unable to go ahead and do that. And so, over a period of years, he had been one of our top athletes, and he really put in his time and effort. Unfortunately, circumstances over the last couple of years were a little bit against his attaining his real potential.”

Evans has trained with hundreds of athletes over his sixty-year career, and he remembers Gill as a zealous athlete.

Frederick Evans

“Shaun was dedicated and committed. Sprinters need to be aggressive to be successful, and he had that aggressive nature about him which in some cases led some people to not like him too much, but you’re not in this to make friends nor to make enemies as the case may be. He was very talented and I personally believe that he did not get to reach his true potential.”

While his professional career in track and field might be over, the love he embodies for his country continues to thrive. No matter what his next pursuit may be, Shaun will have the support of his country right there with him.

Shaun Gill

“Just want to say thank you for all the support around the globe, especially Belizeans at home and abroad. Everybody doesn’t know, but this was my last race. I’m retiring. This is the official announcement. Thank you all. It’s been about eighteen years, this was the last one and it’s a sad moment for me. I didn’t compete. I didn’t get, I didn’t get the performance I expected, but this was the last one. So thanks to everyone. This is my farewell tour. Most of my highlights came at the central American championships where we compete in the region. Back home at our nationals, I went to Texas A & M university, Kingsville for about four years at the college of engineering, those are the highlights of my career, and I’m very grateful.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Two Belizean Students off to Jamaica on Athletic Scholarships

Two Belizean youths are off to Jamaica to further their education after receiving athletic scholarships for track and field. They are fifteen-year-old Norman Sutherland and fourteen-year-old Jadeen Williams, who will both be attending Saint Elizabeth Technical High School in Santa Cruz, Jamaica. We spoke with Cojac Smith and Gregory Meyers, who facilitated the application of the athletes.

Gregory Meyers, Scholarship Facilitator

“Mister Smith and I have been working diligently about getting these scholarships for these young men. We started this process collaborating with some coaches and the different principals, Weil and CARIFTA. In Grenada in Easter of this year that conversation developed into where we brought three four coaches from Jamaica here to give a clinic. During that clinic, they were able to meet some of these young athletes. One of them had competed at CARIFTA, Jadeen Williams. And through our collaboration and communication and the things that we’ve done to this point, we were able to secure these scholarships for these young men. And that’s in conjunction with the hold ups with Jamaica. Jamaica had a few changes in their rules, which we had more scholarships, but those scholarships were rescinded because of the change in the rules. Fortunately, through our diligent hard work with and collaboration with these coaches and principals we were able to secure at least two scholarships for these young men”

Britney Gordon

“And what exactly does the scholarship entail? Where will they be studying and what will they receive?”

Gregory Meyers

“Okay, the scholarship is for their tuition and for their books We are working hard to Secure the funding for their room and board Which we’ve reached out and we’ve had a lot of generous benefactors to help us to this point. They will be studying at St. Elizabeth’s Tech with and training under coach Neil Harrison who was here in Belize in June. And they should be leaving within the next week, within the next seven days.”

Cojac Smith, Scholarship Facilitator

“It’s a great step in the right direction in development for these young athletes. One of the things that we’ve been short going forward as a country is the development of our talent. So recognizing that these youths from a young age and seeing that the talent that they have and being able to capitalize on that and giving them the opportunity to go on further their education allows, as well as working with these excellent coaches in Jamaica will bring a sort of notoriety as well as give other students Kids the inspiration to work hard and train as well as you have to remember that these are student athletes, so their grades are exceptional as well. So it’s a great opportunity and we really want to promote this level of positivity within athletics.”

Who Is Darwin “Puppy” Leslie?

When it comes to performing at the highest level of basketball in Belize, Darwin “Puppy” Leslie, cannot be counted out from that conversation. At the peak of his career, Leslie was deemed the best of the best, following in the footsteps of Keith “Superman” Acosta. But, apart from one documentary series that was produced almost ten years ago, there is not much information out there about Leslie’s accomplishments, his contributions to society, growing up in an impoverished community, and the role a God-fearing mother and disciplinarian father played in his life. His achievements on the court are too many to mention in one news item. But, in this month’s installments of Belize on Reel, we will be looking at Belizean athletes who have gone above and beyond in their respective disciplines. Today, News Five’s Paul Lopez sat down with Darwin “Puppy” Leslie for an extensive interview. Here is some of what he learned about one of Belize’s basketball icons.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

When having a conversation about the basketball greats in Belize, names like Milton Palacio, Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn, Keith Acosta, and many others come up. Darwin “Puppy” Leslie is no exception.

Darwin “Puppy” Leslie, Belizean Basketball Icon

“Puppy came from Queen Square with a next famous guy, Orson Picart. WE had the performing arts. We used to go to Bliss and act. My act was I was a puppy. I had to get in a puppy costume for my role and Orson Picart had a turkey costume. Orson Picart being the clown that he is, when we went back to Queen Square, he started to tease me about the puppy.”

That name would remain with him throughout his entire life, even as he performed at the highest level on the basketball court. Leslie was born in 1981 in Belize City. He started playing basketball in his early teens on a blacktop basketball court at the then Princess Royal Youth Hostel on Dolphin Street.

Darwin “Puppy” Leslie

“Being on that basketball court was everything. Then I had my little brother with me as well, Jacob Leslie. So it was always me and him getting whipping for being on Hostel without basketball shoes and if anybody know hostel at that time it was raw tar. So we was out there midday and that tar would be popping, like the actual street. And we were out there barefoot playing.”

A quick search of Darwin Leslie’s name on the internet won’t produce much information about his significant accomplishments as a basketball player. That search may yield some statistics on his six years playing in the National Elite Basketball Tournament during which he won back-to-back championships with the San Pedro Tiger Sharks, garnered the finals MVP award and was declared the “big dog” of the league. But his collection of trophies and awards speaks for itself. He dominated in under-fourteen and under seventeen tournaments. He also dominated in the senior tournament with the Christian Ambassadors, where he was awarded regular season and finals MVP. From there, he moved up to compete in Belize’s semi-pro league.

Darwin “Puppy” Leslie

“I had the best time in basketball because I had a chance to play against all the old greats. It was like flipping over the card to Darwin and those younger guys. But I played against Bovell, Shabba, Keith Acosta was named superman. Could you imagine that a man playing basketball name superman. So, you know he is flying over the court. He was the guy I wanted to be like and see if I could compete against him to even overtake him.”

Puppy Leslie’s younger brother, Jacob Leslie, is another prominent figure in Belizean basketball. Jacob Leslie recalls his brother’s first year in the semi-pro league, specifically one match against Keith “Superman” Acosta. Jacob was studying in the U.S. at the time.

Jacob Leslie, Co-Owner, Belize City Defenders

“There was a game he was going to play Keith Acosta and I came back to Belize because I wanted to see that game. I went to him before the game and I said, you are the best player in the country. They are saying he is the best player in the country, but you are and tonight you are going to show them you are the best. I remember one play where Keith Acosta was guarding him at the top of the key and I was excited and he pulled a move and dunked the ball and that is so etched in my memory, from that day I said, you are it. They have to pass the mantle to you. I think in that game he scored like thirty-five points. He still lost, but I think he put the basketball world on notice that I am here.”

At the height of his career, Puppy Leslie was very popular among young, aspiring basketball players. In 2007, he began mentoring those very youths in the Belize Bulldogs basketball program that was started with current Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner.

Darwin “Puppy” Leslie

“I realize that playing semipro, travelling to all six districts, a lot of kids the say Puppy, a lot of kids the take pictures after the game, a lot of kids the wait with their parents until I come out the shower. I was like, what? So, I started teaching what I know along with Rasco Reece and Rupert Brown. We did that program for ten years, every Saturday with funding from Belize Bank.”

But, behind the spotlight of being the best of the best at basketball in Belize, was a young man who grew up in an impoverished community. His father and mother were the bedrock of the family. They made sure discipline was instilled in the home and that each of their six children sought God.

Jacob Leslie

“My father was very strict in budgeting and finances and made sure the money is in order. My mother was the spiritual leader of the family. So my mother made sure we go to church, Sunday school, youth services and that molded us as men. So, it is natural for him to be in a position to give back, to make impact, because that is what Christianity teaches you right.”

Darwin “Puppy” Leslie

“We use to take our chamber pot, and I am being as real as I can be, it uses to be under the bed, we put it in a bigger bucket and after a couple days we go to the kennel. So that was tough. I remember having the one-man bathroom over the kennel, we use to use those, right in Queen Square.”

Darwin Puppy Leslie officially retired in 2019 from the National Elite Basketball League. He is an unsung hero, with no stadiums named after him, no national awards presented, no substantial, tangible recognition despite his many contributions to raising the level of basketball played in Belize and mentorship. And if you ask him, Puppy will tell you that God always has a plan.

Darwin “Puppy” Leslie

“When I think about my life, I think about they came a certain time where I don’t have any control over my life. Right now God is taking full control of my life. But I know for sure I am someone sent here to give service to humanity. I know that a fact and I can say that with confidence.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Embattled BAA President Says He Did Nothing Wrong

On Tuesday, we told you that the Belize Athletic Association moved to vote out President Cojac Smith and Public Relations Officer Gregory Meyers during a special meeting. We also heard from Smith, who told us that the decision violates the regulations that guide BAA decisions. Well, Smith and Meyers have taken their position one step further. They have retained the services of Glenn Godfrey’s law firm. Today, GDG wrote to the association on behalf of its clients. The letter says that his clients’ removal was not advised by the association’s disciplinary committee, which Godfrey asserts is contrary to the BAA’s constitution. Godfrey further contends that the BAA’s constitution provides no basis for removals based on personal grievances or through a vote of no confidence. The letter describes the move as an attempt at a hostile takeover that threatens the association’s standing with World Athletics. Godfrey refers to the motion as void and the appointment of Alvin Tillet as illegitimate and unlawful. Additionally, the letter calls on the BAA to cease and desist from any further slanderous statements against Smith and Meyers and to immediately remove its September second press release. Godfrey noted that failure to do so will result in Smith and Meyers seeking damages for defamatory publication. When we spoke with Smith on Monday, he contended that he did nothing to warrant a vote of no confidence.

Cojac Smith

“And what people seems to forget is that this is philanthropy work. This is not being paid for. I get nothing paid for this. A lot of times I take money out of my pocket and that is how we do it. It is both myself and the public relations officer that were victims of this situation. We weren’t given due process and the small handful of members that felt disgruntled with how things were handled, which you know people are always iffy on change, so they decided to take this route which is unconstitutional, and we are researching how we will deal with this going forward. I am always open to criticism. At the end of the day I am not perfect. I have things I can work on and change. However, this is also my profession. I do have degrees in these types of things, however management, so to be questioning my leadership based on what you think or your opinion that I should have done something when it is outside of the constitution, I actually following the constitution in relation to what they are stating out there. At the assembly I clearly articulated everything against the motion that was brought to me. However, it was just still go ahead and make the vote. I have no problem with taking criticism. However, in this instance I did nothing wrong. I followed the procedure. I made sure that whatever situation was brought to me was due process.”

BAA President Ousted? Cojac Smith Seeks to Clear His Name

Earlier today, the Belize Athletic Association issued a release announcing that Cojac Smith is no longer serving as the president of the association. The release also stated that Gregory Meyers is no longer serving as public relations officer. Well, we reached out to Smith for comments, and he told us that as far as he is concerned, he maintains the role of BAA president. BAA’s release noted that Alvin Tillett, the first vice president under Smith, has been appointed as the acting president. This all played out on Sunday during a special general assembly. So, how did the association get to this point. We spoke with embattled President, Cojac Smith about how it all played out.

Cojac Smith, Belize Athletics Association

“To be honest I am a professional project manager and that is what I do. I have my own small business, and I also do consultancy. So, in any situation like this dealing with a situation where I am voted out on ground that is unconstitutional. I did nothing wrong, and I have to speak out against it. It is not within my frame or my own personal belief that I should sit down and take this when I did nothing wrong. So I have to take a stand and say that the entire process for the voting was unconstitutional and I am still legally the president of the BAA, however means or whatever the press release are being sent out at this point in time. It is unconstitutional what happened on Sunday. There are steps and processes about how you have disputes and how it is handle. Those were vehemently opposed to and violated at the meeting on Sunday. When they decided it is going to be a vote I stepped out. I can no longer be apart of something unconstitutional and no longer following the rules. I did not participate or vote on it. Just the entire process was in shambles. I won’t touch base too much on it. I am currently doing my research as to how I will handle the situation and see how to deal with it. But, by no way will I allow my name to be tarnished when all I have been doing is trying to better the association and better sports for Belize.”

Paul Lopez

“Is the public perhaps getting a view, an inside look as to a part of the reason why we are not seeing certain disciplines advance in Belize. Things are so bureaucratic and tends to be so political at times. And, do you lament this?”

Cojac Smith

“You are hitting the nail on the head. I am sure you have seen this where you wonder why things are not happening. When you have like minded individuals that are trying to make change and development you have those who resist the change. And then you have those that resist the change. Instead of trying to see beyond what is right in front of their face and looking at the bigger picture you have reisistance and that resisntance got to the point where there is a feeling of wanting to get rid of the president.”