LIU Keeps Dawson’s Vision Alive With Sports Movement

It is back again; the William Dawson Sprite/Digi Basketball Tournament has launched yet another season. The 2025 tournament officially kicked off on Friday night at Birds Isle. Organizers, sponsors and participants gathered on the basketball court to remember the man who launched the vision behind the event, the late William Dawson. Members of his family were also present. With twenty teams competing for the championship prize, this one promises to electrify. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

It has been just under three years since the passing of former Leadership Intervention Unit Chairman William Dawson. His name still carries the same weight for peace and mediation among rival gangs as it did when he was alive. Following his death, the LIU, now headed by his brother, Andrew Dawson, launched a sporting movement in his honor. It began with the William Dawson Basketball Tournament, which is being held for a third season this year.

 

Andrew Dawson, Acting Director, Leadership Intervention Unit

“As the acting director of the Leadership Intervention Unit, I see this event as more than a basketball tournament. It is a platform for positive engagement, a space where youths, coaches, community leaders, and supporters come together to not only build skill on the court, but character off it. The William Dawson Basektball Tournament has long been a powerful vehicle to teach discipline, growth, teamwork and leadership. These are the very qualities we aim to nurture through our programs at the Leadership Intervention Unit.”

This movement has long enjoyed the backing of Cisco Woods and the Rotary Club of Belize. At Friday night’s opening ceremony, Woods recounted his encounters with the late William Dawson and spoke about the passion Dawson had to bring peace to feuding gangs.

 

Cisco Woods, Rotary Club of Belize

“We have been partners with  you guys for several competitions and we have just upped the game by being partners in the football competition as well, the tournament. I had the privilege and honor to work with William for several years both at the prison and many intervention projects we did and I don’t think I have to mention he had for young Belizeans and wanting them to see a better way of life. I want to you, not only from my club, but me personally and my family and all the folks that work at the Kolbe Foundation on keeping his dream alive.”

 

Instead of a moment of silence, the crowd chose to honor William Dawson with a resounding round of applause, a celebration that everyone in attendance joined wholeheartedly. Digi and Sprite have backed the basketball tournament from day one—keeping players hydrated and geared up. Both brands showed up on opening night. Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa says the event honors a man who believed in everything this tournament stands for.

 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“This tournament has brought together players and supporters from across Belize. For the past three years, under the LIU at the Ministry of Home Affairs, this has grown into something bigger, bringing together youth from different backgrounds and communities to compete with purpose and build real bonds. This tournament carries the name of a man who believed deeply in what this event represents. Williams Dawsn was an inspiration chairman of the LIU. He was a leader, a mentor and a steady presence in the lives of many young people across Belize City.”

 

Special jerseys were also distributed to the family members of Williams Dawson who were present on opening night. A total of twenty teams from across Belize District are participating in this year’s tournament.  On Friday night, the organizers provided each team with their jerseys. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.