Football Frustration Mounts Over Marion Jones Field Woes

Frustration is boiling over among football organizers in Belize City. Persistent problems at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex are throwing local tournaments into chaos. Ian Gaynair, an executive with the Belize District Football Association, says weekly postponements have become the norm, fields are waterlogged even after light rain. Despite some support from local officials, Gaynair is calling on authorities to speed up repairs on at least one facility. He says reliable spaces are critical to keep the sport alive and thriving in the community.

 

Ian Gaynair, Executive Member, Belize District Football Association

“I am an executive member for Belize football, so I am in charge of organizing football, promoting football in Belize District. So, it is my obligation to see that football is being played at all levels. Right now I am in charge of the first division tournament and every week I have to be postponing and postponing and postponing. Every week I go to the guys and the teams and say look the field is not good, water is on the field, every week. So, it really frustrate me to can’t play football and see football playing in my area.  There is a lot of water accumulating if we get a little bit of rain. Twenty minutes of rain and we can’t play for the whole day. I am not knocking anyone in charge, but I know we could do something about it. I am asking, please whatever it is. I know they are trying to help us, but please speed up the process. Every football I have I go and ask the minister and mayor and they always contribute and donate to whatever they are having. If I stand here and say they are doing a bad job, I might be lying. But all we are asking, for all footballers around Belize City, fix our facility, just one.”

 

We tried reaching out to the Minister of State in the Ministry of Sports, Devin Daly for comments but our calls and text messages went unanswered.