The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) announced the termination of Coach David Perez’s contract as Senior Men’s National Team Coach, effective immediately.
During his tenure, Coach Perez demonstrated unwavering dedication and made significant contributions to Belizean football. His commitment to player development and his leadership of the Senior National Team have been commendable. The FFB expressed sincere gratitude to Coach Perez for his service and extended best wishes for his future endeavors, confident that his experience and expertise will continue to positively impact the football community.
The FFB remains steadfast in its commitment to the growth and success of Belizean football and will actively pursue the necessary steps for the vetting and appointment of a new Head Coach to guide the Senior Men’s National Team.
We have been following his development as a boxer, and on Saturday night twenty-three-year-old Amir Rudon will face off against his toughest opponent yet. Juan “El Toro” Mendez has more recorded fights under his belt. He is five years older than Rudon and aims to knock out his opponents. This match is Rudon’s Super Lightweight debut at one hundred and forty pounds. He describes it as a steppingstone towards much bigger titles. On Saturday, News Five’s Paul Lopez joined Rudon inside Alpha Boxing Club. Here is that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
He is about to face his most challenging opponent to date. On Saturday, July twentieth, Amir “King Mir” Rudon will go head-to-head with Guatemalan Juan “El Toro” Mendez in a six round super lightweight bout.
Amir Rudon
Amir Rudon, Boxer, National Lightweight Champion
“It seems to me that he has a power punch or a knockout punch, his record is a eight wins, three losses, but seven of his victories are by way of knock out.”
On Saturday, Rudon gave reporters a sneak peek into his training routine inside Alpha Boxing Club. Against his sparring partner, Rudon shows a great balance between speed and patience as he looks for the openings his opponent may present. With much precision, Rudon lands a few punches to his opponent’s body and couple to the face. His combinations are quick and show off his ability to manage the space between his opponent and pounce at any given moment. Rudon took a couple blows and dodged many of the shots directed towards him.
Amir Rudon
“I keep wanting to fight against better opponents, better names, bigger fights, step up into the competition and fight for regional titles and those stuff, so this is definitely sort of a test, I think it’s safe to say it’s a test to see if you want to say, “if we are ready for what’s to come”, and I’m confident in passing the test for sure.”
Paul Lopez
“The more we talk to you over the years, we continue to see our circle of influence grow, we continue to see you inspire more and more young boxers because of your discipline and the commitment you have to that. How do you feel about the level of influence you have right now and the inspiration that you’re creating for many young boxers?”
Amir Rudon
“It is with upmost pride and honor to be in this position, and I don’t take it lightly, or anything like that. It’s definitely been a long journey and I appreciate all the support I am receiving. You know, I’m not alone, although it’s a lonely sport, I’m not alone, I have a great team of people around me. I got you guys; I got the country’s support and I appreciate every single thing and we’ll go to the top together.”
Rudon’s eyes are set on winning a world title for Belize. As a twenty-three-year-old boxer with a promising future in boxing ahead of him, getting there requires focus on the opponent at hand. Mendez is coming into this one with two consecutive wins under his belt. Rudon is five years younger than Mendez, and this will be his first time fighting at one hundred and forty pounds.
Paul Lopez
“How well do you believe you could hold out for 6 rounds, against such a high caliber of a opponent like the one you’re facing next week?”
Amir Rudon
“100% confident that I will be able to go 6 rounds with him, I’m preparing for much more than that, its only that this fight is going to be 6 rounds but I’m confident that could do more rounds, next week Saturday or you know, anytime its presented.”
Steven Heusner, one of the members of the group that manages Rudon, is confident that he is currently in the best form to face off against Mendez.
Steven Heusner
Steven Heusner, Member, Amir Rudon Managing Team
“He was three and zero, but now it is six and zero with three straight knock outs, and you know it’s been a lot of work behind the scenes training, getting, you know, we just came back from Houston from a five-week training, which was very extensive. You know so, the level is going up, it’s a lot of hard work, you know I’m calling Amir almost every day. His mom, Mr. Marin, my wife, you know the support team is there all the time.”
Paul Lopez
What sort of contributions does your team Make in deciding who’s the next opponent for Amir?
Steven Heusner
“Well, you know, it’s a, we’re building, so as we go along, we’re going up in the opponent’s quality, you know so this is the biggest step for him so far, and if we get past this one, September will be a bigger step for him as well.”
Amir Rudon
“Sorry to interrupt, when, when not if, when.” *laughs*
The fight is set to go down inside the Swift Hall in Belize City.
Steven Heusner
“It is going to be exciting, Amir has improved juristically, and we are guaranteeing a victory, and we want to see the opponent on the canvas.”
Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. The Anthony Mahler Under-Thirteen Mundialito Tournament has come to an end. Champions were declared for both male and female categories on Sunday.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
In the female category, Royal Fusion went up against Alvian Strikers for the championship trophy. Three minutes into the match Royal Fusion’s Amina Burgess sprinting down the other end, made the pass at midfield, got it back and wasted no time disposing the ball into the net. That’s one goal for Royal Fusion. Only two minutes later, Alvian Striker’s Aisha Reyes found an opportunity in front of the goalpost off a corner kick, and she made it count, tying the game. And just before the end of the first half, the referee called a handball against Alvian Strikers inside the penalty box. Jocelyn Zuniga gave Royal Fusion a two-to-one lead.
Up by one with one minute of play time remaining, Amira Burgess, up against multiple defenders found the opening at the top of the penalty box and sealed the victory for her team. The award for Best Forwards went to Royal Fusion’s Jocelyn Zuniga. Akila Baizar received the Best Goalkeeper Award, while Amina Burgess received the Most Goal and Playoff M.V.P. awards. Alvian Strikers also walked away with four personal awards, including the Regular Season M.V.P. and Best Coach.
The male finals were played immediately after that game. By this time, fans had filled the stands inside Berger Field. They were all in a celebratory mood as the atmosphere was filled with drumming and cheering. This was 2023 finals rematch between Ladyville Rising Stars and Belize United. Rising Stars lost to Belize United then and so they had something to prove. Belize United sought to defend their title and secure a fourth consecutive championship. After thirty-six minutes of hard-fought playtime from both teams, that even left Belize United’s goalkeeper gasping for air, this one came down to a penalty shootout.
Fredrick Garbutt was the first penalty kicker for Rising Stars. He managed to outplace goalkeeper Noe Flores. Belize United’s Ralph Mendonza sent the ball to the left of the goal. The goalkeeper predicted the kick but just could not get the stop. Kent Noralez kicked was the second kicker for Rising Stars and he easily counted the goal.
Belize United’s Jaime Dominquez returned the favor. The penalty shootout was now two goals each.Unfortunately for Rising Stars, Zion Gibson’s penalty kick was stopped by goalkeeper Noe Flores. Schae Gordon launched a rocket to goal for Belize United to put them up, three goals to two.
Jahan Kingston kept Ladyville Rising Stars in this one with a necessary goal. Christopher Gilharry counted the fourth straight made penalty shot for Belize United. Nigel Hulse Junior with the most critical shot for Rising Stars. Goalkeeper Noe Flores again with the stop and players and fans alike erupted in celebration.
Belize United secured its fourth straight Anthony Mahler Under-Thirteen Mundialito Championship. Noe Flores was awarded the playoff M.V.P. trophy. So that brings an end to an exciting season for these young and promising athletes.
Over the course of the five days, Belize’s National Senior Women Football Team fought Bermuda in two friendly matches. The first match was held on Thursday night inside the F.F.B. Stadium. Belize won that match two goals to zero. A rematch was held on Saturday night at the same venue. Unfortunately for the National Senior Women Football Team, Bermuda came out on top in that one. They scored two goals, while team Belize was unable to get one in. The team will be travelling over the coming months to play additional friendly matches.
F.F.B.’s National Amateur Interdistrict Championship is well underway. A total of eight teams have qualified for the quarterfinals. What is making news tonight is Saturday night’s match between Napoles F.C. and Ceasar Ridge F.C. inside the Isidoro Beaton Stadium. These highlights are courtesy Accion Deportiva Belize.
The referee called a handball inside the penalty box against Ceasar Ridge at the eightieth minute. As you can see, the call is made off a play directly in front of the goal. A penalty shot was awarded to Napoles.
Moments later, a Ceasar Ridge player is issued a red card after he confronted the referee. That player’s anger clearly increased and attacked the referee, physically assaulting him on the field. Two police officers intervened, and a struggle ensued between the player and the officers as he was being escorted to the locker room. The F.F.B. is yet to issue a statement on this incident. Napoles went on to win the match four goals to zero.
Speaking of national teams, Belize’s National Under-Twenty-One Female Volleyball Team has a big week ahead of them. Belize is hosting the Twentieth U-Twenty-One Central American Volleyball Championship. The tournament is set to begin on Tuesday night inside the Belize City Civic Center. The opening ceremony is scheduled for six p.m. Team Belize will play its first match against Nicaragua immediately after. This tournament comes on the heels of Belize bronze medal performance at the U-Twenty-Three Central American Championship in Honduras. Nicaragua won gold in that tournament. We heard from Team Captain, Gareth Bruce.
Gareth Bruce
Gareth Bruce, Team Captain
“I feel like all of us are well prepared, we are well developed and experienced since of our past tournaments. For most of us it is not our first time, but I can tell you that for my first time it was pretty exciting to travel and have your home crowd behind you supporting and have your coaches believing in you that you can do well and represent your country as best as you can.”
Team Belize is scheduled to play Honduras on Wednesday night, El Salvador on Friday and Guatemala on Saturday night. That will be the last game before the award ceremony.
Well folks that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
In just a few days, Belize will be facing off against opponents from across Central America during the U21 Women’s Volleyball Championship. The tournament will open on July sixteenth at the Belize City Civic Center where Belize will face off against Nicaragua. News Five’s Britney Gordon stopped by the Civic Center this morning to catch the team as it prepares for the upcoming game. Here’s more on that.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Team Belize is ready to win big at the U21 Women’s Volleyball Championship that kicks off next Tuesday. This year, Belize is hosting the tournament which will see teams from across the region compete for the coveted title. Belize’s first match will be against Nicaragua. We caught up with team captain, Gareth Bruce to hear how the team is feeling now that the day is almost here.
Gareth Bruce
Gareth Bruce, Captain
“So like a week ago we did a U23 in Honduras and we we’re training morning and evening for that. And after we came back, and we did the same in preparation for this tournament.”
Britney Gordon
“And how are you guys feeling as the game approaches?”
Gareth Bruce
“We’re nervous and excited because we’re playing against our home crowd. I feel like all of us are well prepared, we’re well developed and experienced since our past tournaments.”
At just fourteen-years-old, Sara Safa is the youngest on the team. Being surrounded by players more experienced than her motivates her game.
Britney Gordon
“So you’re one of the youngest players on this team. How does it feel to be representing your country on such an international level so young?”
Sarah Safa
Sarah Safa, Setter
“It feels pretty good. I love working with the older girls because they have a lot more experience than I do so they can always help me out and give me tips. So it’s a really blessing and it feels really good.”
Despite her young age, Safa is confident that she and her team will do well in the approaching games.
Sara Safa
“I am feeling well prepared to go out and cheer on my team and do what I have to do and I know my team is really prepared as well.”
Britney Gordon
“What’s an important piece of advice that you’re taking into mind as the games approaches to help you stay motivated and encouraged?”
Sara Safa
“Well, I just like to keep in mind that since I’m one of the youngest, that means I’ve worked really hard to get to this point. So I just have to keep that in mind that this is a, this is like an opportunity, like a once in a lifetime opportunity for a person this young.”
With just five days left until Belize’s first match, Jevia Leslie is eager to get on the court and play against her opponents.
Jevia Leslie
Jevia Leslie, Middle Blocker
“I’m pretty excited. I’ve been waiting for this tournament since like probably March or earlier because We’ve been notified that they’ll be having another home game. So I’ve been really pretty excited same as my team. I’m feeling pretty confident. I’m ready to, I don’t want to say get this over with, but I’m actually pretty excited and I want to play the game. I’m anxious to do it because, I’ve been waiting for some time. All right, that’s good.”
In a few days, Belize will compete in the U21 Women’s Volleyball Championship, facing Central American teams. The tournament starts on July 16 at the Belize City Civic Center, with Belize’s first match against Nicaragua. Britney Gordon from News Five visited the Civic Center to observe Team Belize’s preparations.
Captain Gareth Bruce shared their rigorous training schedule, highlighting the team’s readiness and mixed feelings of nervousness and excitement about playing before a home crowd.
“We’re nervous and excited because we’re playing against our home crowd. I feel like all of us are well prepared, we’re well developed and experienced since our past tournaments,” said Bruce.
At 14, Sara Safa, the youngest player, expressed her enthusiasm and gratitude for the support from more experienced teammates. Middle blocker Jevia Leslie conveyed her eagerness and confidence as the tournament approaches.
Belize’s Senior Women’s National Football Team is set to face off against Bermuda on Thursday night inside the F.F.B. Stadium. The friendly match kicks off at seven p.m. The team has been in camp for the past three weeks preparing for the match. They are inviting fans out to the game to watch them perform and possibly win. Today, we spoke with the coach and a couple of players.
Wayne Casimiro
Wayne Casimiro, Head Coach, National Senior Women’s Football Team
“We have been doing the best we can given the time frame we have to work with and getting our style of play in proper order. I think the team looks fairly ok. WE are basically there and prepared to play a good match between Bermuda given we have not been together for a while. Bu for the time we spent in camp, two weeks prior and now in this position, I think we are really getting back to where we were from the last time.”
Shamika Lambey
Shamika Lambey, National Team Athlete
“Us being in camp, it helps us build our momentum and chemistry, because most of us are from different clubs so we don’t have that much chemistry with each other. We have been playing with each other in the last national team on the road to Gold Cup. So us being in camp helps us to develop more and gets us to see where we fall short, whether it is attacking or defending. So the more we come together in camp the more we develop.”
Roshanny Narvaez
Roshanny Narvaez, National Team Athlete
“We have been practicing three weeks so our mentality is very positive. In my case it is very positive. I know we can do great out there and with the fans showing up that can motivate us even better to showcase our talent and just play our game and have fun.”
Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. We begin tonight’s coverage with some Saturday night softball action in Sand Hill Village. This is the Belize Rural Softball Fast Pitch Tournament. Double Head Cabbage’s male team took on Biscayne’s male team.
Double Head started off the game batting at the top of the first inning. The batter hit the ball towards the short stop which gave the runner on third base a chance to score the first run. There is a strike, the throw to third base and an opportunity for Double Head to secure a second run in the first inning. Number nine for Double Head with the popup ball towards center field. It landed just before the fielder could get there. A third run for Double Head.
Now at the bottom of the second inning, bases are loaded with Biscayne’s number seventeen Lindsford Gideon up to bat. That one is going, going, gone. Run one and two for Biscayne. Biscayne’s number ten up to bat with runners on second and third. He sent a low-ball flying across left field. That converted into two additional runs for Biscayne.
A steal to the home plate for number ten puts Biscayne at five runs. Biscayne made its sixth run off this hit into the right field. And just when there was some hope for Double Head to subdue Biscayne, the left field fumbled a ball, giving way to a seventh run in the first inning. And they were just getting started as they went on to make four additional runs at the bottom of the first inning to bring it to eleven runs in total.
Down twelve runs to three, Double Head finally got something going at the top of the third inning. A big home run hit from Gareth Banner across center field added three more runs to the score board for Double Head. But their third inning performance would not be enough to overcome Biscayne’s fourth inning run. In the end, Biscayne defeated Double Head eighteen to eight runs.
From softball we move into some basketball action. We are talking about the Belize Basketball Association’s Master Over-Thirty-Five League. On Saturday afternoon, team Nash from Belize City took on the Orange Walk Brotherhood.
An early steal by Fenton James for Nash to put his team on the scoreboard with two points. On the other end, a steal by Brandon Mckoy and a bucket under the rim to give his team their first two points. Kenrick Deshield flexing under the rim as he puts up the layup. Jervis Lockwood working his way around three defenders to get the bucket. Lupito Acosta with the jumper over Deshield.
The first quarter ended with Nash on top, sixteen to thirteen points. Second quarter, lucky bounce for Mckoy off the jump shot to count the two-point basket. Mckoy again, gets the offensive rebound and makes the basket count. Mckoy to Ryan Gentle for the easy layup. That basket cut a seven-point Nash lead down to one point. Brotherhood outscored Nash by six points in the second quarter to take a three-point lead at the end of the first half.
The third quarter ended with Brotherhood still in the lead, with forty-one points. But it was only a one-point lead as Nash had forty points. Now in the fourth quarter, Acosta from coast to coast got under the rim easily and made the layup. Acosta again twisting and turning around defenders, like he is in his early twenties, to make the layup.
That puts Brotherhood up by five points, with the game now at forty to forty-five points. Acosta again showing his strength and size under the rim, a bit of celebration after that play. Orange Walk Brotherhood would go on to win the game with fifty-eight points to Nash’s forty-eight points.
And for some Belize Elite Basketball League news update. On Friday, Commissioner of the league, Glenn Gill told News Five, that the league’s appeal committee came to a decision on the protested game three of the 2024 finals. The committee essentially decided that the game must be played over in its entirety. July twenty-sixth was identified as the date to replay game three. But, since then, the Defenders have reportedly asked for the date to be reconsidered because it clashes with the Belize International Music and Food Festival in San Pedro. A meeting was to be held over the weekend between the owners, but that did not occur due to the weekend weather. That meeting is to be held as early as possible this week and a new date is expected to be set. It is possible that game three will be replayed on a weekday.
Glenn Gill
Glenn Gill, Commissioner, B.E.B.L.
“The unfortunate thing is that one will like it and one won’t. I guess it is the nature of these situations. For me I believe it is the fair thing to do, play over the game not just the last minute of the game or anything like that. I know they looked at it. I was forcing them to make a decision earlier and they did not have enough time. I know they went through everything and I am sure they uncovered all they needed to do.”
And finally, for tonight, the stage is set for the Belize Volleyball Association to host the Under-twenty-one Women’s Central American Volleyball Championship. Five nations will compete inside the Belize City Civic Center from the sixteenth to the twentieth of July for the coveted tittle. We will be bringing you more from the team as the week goes by.
Well folks that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. I am Paul Lopez.
The Belize Elite Basketball League’s 2024 finals between the Benny’s Belize Hurricanes and the Belize City Defenders remain in Limbo. Tonight, when a possible game five would have been played, there is no confirmed date for the series to resume. After the Hurricanes protested the results of the Defender’s game three win, the matter ended up in the hands of the league’s protest committee. The committee ruled in favor of the Hurricanes. The Defenders then decided to take the matter up to the league’s appeals committee. But the question on the mind of every B.E.B.L. fan is, when will the finals resume? Well, we spoke with B.E.B.L. Commissioner Glenn Gill who informed us that the appeals committee has decided that the controversial game three will be replayed.
Glenn Gill
Glenn Gill, B.E.B.L. Commissioner
“Actually yesterday there was a decision made from the Appeals Committee that the game would be played over. But unfortunately, the Volleyball Association will use the court for two weeks. So we wont have the use of the court until the twenty-sixth of July. So that is when we will play over game three.”
Paul Lopez
“So, the decision of the appeals committee is to have the game played over?”
Glenn Gill
“Yes, because they looked at all the literature, the game, the game clips, they decided it would be unfair to play the game from where there was a disruption. And, it would not be fair for both teams. So, they decided it is best to just play over the game.There are two committees in the league, a protest/disciplinary committee and a tribunal. In my opinion both have people who have legal mind and both have people who know basketball. Last year we had some up and downs with a decision. But this year before the tournament started decided that whatever the tribunal says is the last word is the last word. So whatever they decide we will go with it.”
Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. The B.E.B.L. finals are in a state of uncertainty, following game three on Friday night.
The Hurricanes lodged a protest following the Defenders’ game three win. Let us look at this play. The Hurricanes are up by three points with fifty-four seconds left to end the game, when Marquise Cunningham secures the defensive rebound. The clock shows that it took the team about nine seconds to advance the ball past the halfcourt line. In basketball, that is an eight-second violation. On that play Sidibe Bourama made a two-point bucket under the rim to give his team a five-point lead with only thirty-six seconds left.
Well the officials reviewed the Instant Replay System, determined that the Hurricanes did in fact commit an eight second violation, took away Bourama’s two points, added time to the clock and gave the Defenders possession of the ball. Devin Daly under the rim, cuts the lead down to one point. A travelling violation was called on Cunningham on the other end. Richard Smith found Devon Campbell who sped pass Glency Lopez and banked the jump shot to give the Defenders a one-point lead. Nigel Jones with the finishing dunk, a little icing on the cake. That basket did not count. Fans were in an uproar, in celebration of what appeared to be a done deal.
The closeout game was set for Sunday. But as we said, the Hurricanes lodged a protest to the BEBL Disciplinary/Protest Committee. On Sunday morning, the Hurricanes organization issued a release noting that “the committee confirmed that the referees erred in their decision to use the Instant Replay System to assess an eight-second violation, which is not permissible under the specific circumstances outlined in the FIBA rules”. The Hurricanes expected that on Sunday the last thirty-six seconds of game three would be played prior to the start of game four. But that did not happen, as the Defenders sought to appeal the committee’s decision. We heard from the Defenders organization.
Reynaldo Malic
Reynaldo Malic, Co-Owner, Belize City Defenders
“We then decided to exercise our right to appeal the protest because we felt that the protest committee erred in its findings. I know it is natural to disagree with a decision that is not in your favor but we would not have wasted money and the valuable time of our Defenders and basketball fans in general launching an unnecessary appeal. When we look at the appeal letter submitted it was based on misleading information. It was obvious that the Hurricanes organization was misinformed. In their letter they stated that our head coach asks for a review for a possible eight second violation. We did not ask for a review, we could not ask for a review. As is rightly stated in the Hurricanes letter you can’t review and eight seconds violation. But that aside, we didn’t ask for a review so the Hurricanes letter said well they were granted a review and it was granted for something that cannot be reviewed. That is correct. What is wrong is we were not granted a review because we never asked for a review. The referee decided to do a review on his own with the IRS system. The reason he decided to do that is because repeatedly throughout the game the shot clock was being started late, not one, not twice, not three times, repeatedly the shot clock was being started late and it seemed to always favor when the Hurricanes had possession of the ball. You cant check for eight second unless it is the very final play of a quarter or in the overtime session. Since this was not the final play of the game he could only check for the twenty-four second violation in his incident report he quoted one of the FIBA rule guidelines to check for the eight second violation. However the one that was quoted, as I said before is specific to the end of a quarter or the end of a four quarter period. He was suppose to use the rule interpretation that applies to a play under two minutes less. While that is unfortunate. I would not want that to happen to me either. What that amounts to and this is our assertion, it amounts to a referee error and since it amounts to a referee error, as egregious as it is, the fact of the matter is you cannot protest a game on a referee error.”
And from basketball we move into some volleyball action. Belize secured third place and claimed three individual awards at the Under-Twenty-Three Women’s Central American Volleyball Championship hosted in Honduras. Fatima Ramirez earned individual awards for best scorer and best attacker while, Nisaan Martinez received an individual award for best blocker. The team returned on Sunday. We spoke with the President of the Belize Volleyball Association, Allan Sharp about the medal and awards.
Allan Sharp
Allan Sharp, President, Belize Volleyball Association
“We are again very pleased to say that our team did excellent in the U-Twenty-Three competition. We came in with a bronze, but we battled very hard. WE bear Costa Rica; we beat almost everybody. We went to five sets with Guatemala. Unfortunately, we lost in the fifth set, sixteen, fourteen. But after losing the first two matches to the eventual champion, Nicaragua, we came back. The girl showed great mental strength and resilience and came back and played very well, won all the rest of matches and beat Costa Rica and we pulled off the bronze.”
There is not much time for rest as several of these ladies are preparing for the Under-Twenty-One Female Central American Volleyball Championship. It will take place from the sixteenth to the twentieth of June inside the Belize City Civic Center.
Allan Sharp
“As you remember we placed silver last time but this time we are going for gold. Quite a number of the girls from this U-Twenty-Three team that went away will be playing on this team. We always go for gold. We always play well at home, once the fans come out and show that big support. Our first match is against Nicaragua which is now the team to beat. It is between us and them. first night is on Tuesday sixteenth, play the Tuesday, Thursday, rest Friday against Salvador and Saturday the final night is against Guatemala.”
The Athony Mahler Under-Thirteen Mundialito held its semi-finals matchups on Saturday. It was a rainy day in the city, but the show went on. Berger United took on Belize United for a spot in the finals, while Sampson/Brown went up against Ladyville Rising Stars for that second spot in the finals. Belize United won their match one goal to zero. Ladyville Rising Stars defeated Sampson/Brown five goals to zero. Ladyville Rising Stars will face off against defending champions Belize United in the Anthony Mahler Under Thirteen Mundialito finals.
Well Folks, that is all we have for you in this week’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
An unendorsed letter purportedly written on behalf of a group of concerned athletes, takes up issue with the Belize Athletics Association. The letter criticizes the President of the association, Cojac Smith for not providing the necessary funds for the national track and field team representing Belize at this weekend’s CADICA Senior Championship. The author of the letter states that this has led to a situation where U.S.-based athletes who have never competed in Belize’s national championships but have the financial means are now the primary representatives for Belize at these competitions. It goes on to point out that local athletes who have met the qualifying standards during the 2024 Belize Athletic Association National Championships are left on the wayside because of their inability to pay their own way. The author also asks that the National Olympic Committee take immediate action to address the issue. But today Smith told News Five that this was simply out of his control, and he says the letter is misleading and unfair.
Cojac Smith
Cojac Smith, President, Belize Athletics Association
“We at the Athletic Association want to encourage athletes and have them participate in these events. However, truth be told, we just don’t have the funding, Marion. We sent the CADICA Junior teams earlier this year, just based on the ministry being able to provide us the entirety of the budget to go to Kadika. However, we’ve been trying from since then to get the funding to send these athletes. We even went through a rigorous selection process where the athletes did compete at the national. And we selected them based on the qualifying standards they met and everything. And we went through the entire process and by the books. However, the truth be told is that we were expecting some funds earmarked that the association normally gets. However, due to some technical difficulties outside of our own hands, we were unable to get the funds and the funds are still delayed. So that’s the reason why we weren’t able to finance the trip for the athletes to go. Now, in terms of the athletes that are local, and the thing is that we look at Belize, regardless of where you’re living, you’re a Belizean regardless. Looking at it from the athletes that we’re not giving the local athletes a chance to represent the country is really not true and unfair. If you look at our Kadika team, Junior that win, majority of them were living in Belize. And we were open and honest with the entire selected athletes that if it is that you can provide the funding with the association, whenever we do get these funds that are pending, we will reimburse you the funding. I don’t think that part of it was on the press release as well, and while it was a short timeline we gave them, we asked the Kadika officials because we were trying to get the funding to send everyone that was selected at the A standard. We literally just came in about two months. So we’re, hitting the ground running and we’re doing our best. several other initiatives as well as trying to gain funding. One of the steps and the directions we’ve been taking is to try and build corporate relationships with different entities and businesses in Belize. However, it’s a new association based on the executive and we’re trying to gain some kind of accountability. So with that being said, we have to get our house in order, for these businesses to feel as though they can put funding in the association.”
