Belize's Football Team Will Battle St. Kitts on Guatemalan Field
Belize's road to the 2010 World Cup begins next month. Our national team will battle the national team from St. Kitts. It's seen as winnable, because St. Kitts is not considered a powerhouse in the region - and what's more, for the first game, Belize has the home field advantage. Or do we? Our boys in red and blue will have to defend the pride of the jewel in - of all places - Guatemala City. You might call it hostile territory but for the Football Federation of Belize - it was the only available field. Keith Swift found out why.
Keith Swift Reporting,
These are the core players - the heart really - of the Belize National Football Team which will face St. Kitts next month. Since November they've spent three days per week training at the Football Federation's camp in Belmopan. But as proud as they look in their red and blue- these players who've been training in Belize - won't get to play in Belize.
Dr. Bertie Chimilo, President - Football Federation of Belize
"After assessing all our options to play our World Cup game, the Football Federation met last week in special session and advised the national selection that the Belize-St. Kitts home match will be played at the Mateo Flores Stadium in Guatemala City."
And Belize can't host a match because: surprise - surprise: Belize doesn't have a FIFA certified football field. FFB President Dr. Bertie Chimilio says you can trace th77e problem back to 8 years ago.
Dr. Bertie Chimilo,
"The last game played at the World Cup level in Belize was in 2000 when we played El Salvador at the People's Stadium and at that time, the
FFB really violated the FIFA regulations. We put 6,000 in a 1,500 seater stadium and the report against us was not good. Since that time we've been clamoring, asking, for a facility with minimum standards in Belize. As you know, stadiums are built by government, not football federations."
And that's why Chimilio says the FFB approached government. FIFA surveyed the MCC Grounds, People's Stadium, and the Norman Broaster Stadium. The report in April of 2007 said that: they are all in a serious dilapidated state as there are no safety conditions.... and finds that the stadiums are not capable of holding a FIFA qualifying match.
Dr. Bertie Chimilo,
"Some recommendations were given for minimum standards. Nevertheless we are living in the times we're living in. Nothing was done and that's where we are."
Keith Swift,
Carl Ramos, we know that that stadium could have been easily rehabilitated. Can u tell you tell us about that.
Dr. Bertie Chimilo,
"Yeah we wrote FIFA and told them we want to play home. I know we are not the greatest country in the world when it comes to facilities but we have a plan. FIFA is very concerned about the safety of visiting teams and when we looked at all the stadiums, the stadium to have been really rehabilitated security wise quickly was the Carl Ramos. So we made a plan. We met with the Minister of Sports, submitted the plan but the wheels of government turns so slow. So right now nothing was ever done."
Keith Swift,
How much money did you need?
Dr. Bertie Chimilo,
"We submitted a budget of $200,000 for what we think FIFA would have accepted. We wanted to get FIFA here and tell them listen: I am going to put my life on the line that nothing's going to happen. I could understand if it was a country from Central America yes our plan would not work but St. Kitts would have brought like 25 fans and we had something in place for that and I know FIFA would have accepted because they wanted to play home."
But they won't. In this letter to Chimilio on November 15th of last year - FIFA's general secretary wrote that no stadiums are up to standard and therefore Belize cannot play its home game in Belize. For these players it means they won't get to compete before a home crowd - and that reality isn't lost on Ryan Simpson and Elroy Kylen.
Ryan Simpson,
"We just have to accept things that we cannot change. It is not the
same as playing in Belize because as you have seen, I played two international games when I played the 'Under 21' against Salvador. We won in Belize and I played against Real Espana for CONCACAF and we also won in Belize. But despite playing in Guatemala we are going to go out there and do our best. We think we can beat St. Kitts and that is what we are aiming for. Home field advantage is a big plus for us but I think that they leaving St. Kitts to come to Central America, there is a big advantage for us. Guatemala is our neighbor but I know on the road it's a lot more difficult than to win at home."
Elroy Kuylen,
"The team looks serious and man look prepared and we have a lot of young platters that have many international experience."
Keith Swift,
How do you feel about not playing at home?
Elroy Kuylen,
"Well it hurts me but we have to do what we have to do."
That motivation probably comes from coach Palmino Salas. He himself is a Guatemalan. He says all that matters is that our national team can win.
[Coach Interacting With Players]
Dr. Bertie Chimilo,
"For us it is a game. We are not into politics. We are going there to play. We see no problem."
Keith Swift,
You would accept though that there's nothing like a team playing at home and those fans in the stands just going crazy. Nothing beats that and that won't happen.
Dr. Bertie Chimilo,
"Definitely it is nothing like playing home and its been eight years we haven't played an 'A match' in Belize; a FIFA match in Belize. Eight round years...so sad but that's the reality and football has got to move on."
Move on, even if it means moving right past the western border into hostile territory.
Again the 14 players practicing today are only part of the team. That team includes Shane Moody, Elroy Smith, Harrison Royles, and Selvin Delion who are all playing in professional teams in Central America. The team leaves for Guatemala on February 1st. The game is on February 6th but before they leave - they will play a practice match against Salvador's national team on January 23rd.
A couple more things to note more that St. Kitts didn't have a FIFA certified stadium in 2004 and played their home game in Miami. Last year, St. Kitts spent upwards of one million dollars to rehabilitate its stadium. And, Belize considered playing the game in Chetumal but their field also wasn't FIFA certified.
