Rebranded NEBL Promises Biggest Cash Prizes Yet

After five long years on the sidelines, thanks to the pandemic, Belize’s biggest basketball show is finally back. The National Elite Basketball League, or NEBL, is making its return, and it’s coming back bigger and better than ever. The league has been rebranded, backed by the Ministry of Sports, and promises national reach, stability, and the largest cash prizes in Belizean sports history. Mark your calendars, tip-off is February twentieth. So, what’s behind the comeback, what’s at stake for players, and which teams are ready to hit the court? NEBL Operations Manager Dr. Karim Juan breaks it all down.

 

Dr. Karim Juan, Operations Manager, NEBL

“So the NEBL is back. Our last season was in 2020, which was abruptly stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And during that five year hiatus, they had the BEBL and BPBL. The Ministry of Sports decided they would want to revive back NEBL, and so I think the rebranding back to an NEBL was more trying to symbolize a new start, symbolize stability given that the NEBL was in operation for seven years prior to that disruption.”

 

 Shane Williams

“What’s the prize and where is it coming from?”

 

Dr. Karim Juan

“Okay, so yeah, so that is, I assume that is one of the biggest catch right now. So the league is offering a hundred thousand dollars cash prize, which I think would be one of the biggest cash prizes in sports history in Belize. So the first place team will gobble up majority of that, so they would get seventy thousand and the second place team will receive thirty thousand dollars. The league is still in the process of seeking different sponsors to ensure that all of this materializes. The Ministry of Sports is also assisting, so the league will be falling under their banner per se. Our team commitments has also been finalized. So we have seven teams.. So we have a new franchise coming out of Corozal Spartans, Orange Walk Running Rebels, Belize City Defenders, San Pedro Tiger Sharks, Belmopan Trojans, Cayo Western Ballaz and Easy Investments Dangriga Dream Ballerz.”