The story at the COCABA championships in Cancun has been about the Belize National Basketball team – all the adversity they’ve encountered and their triumph in the face of that.
But if the team got the Oscar for leading actors, the best supporting actor award would have to go to the Belizean fans. They’ve dominated the games with their infectious spirit and indeed are the envy of all the other teams.
They’ve played drums, waved and worn flags, even shown outrageous behavior, so much support that so far not even the home team, Mexico has mustered such feverish, uproarious support. The strong showing of national pride has dominated the Poliform Benito Juarez and the team told Keith swift in Cancun that they are grateful.
Keith Swift
“What is it like being on the Court hearing all the Belizeans just going wild, hearing the drumming...what does that do to you?”
Herbie Allen,
“It gives you more motivation, it gives you a boost of energy, like they came out here from Belize to give us supports, it’s great to see that out there, the support’s great, man.”
Keith Swift
“What have all the Belizeans in the stands making noise done to the team?”
Alex Carcamo,
“That’s helped a lot because it brings me back to the Civic back in 98 – I feel like I’m in the Civic right now. Teams and players they jealous of this right now. I’m hearing players come up to me like, ‘Man I was in you guys’ place, you guys have a great fan base.’ Panama asked us to cheer for them last night because of what they did for us standing up for Belize and it was a great thing so we did that, we stayed and cheered and we saw Mexico was getting heated during the battle and they were concentrating on us more than the game at the time, so it’s gonna be exciting.”
Elvin Penner, Minister of Sports
“Well, its obvious that we bring a lot of energy because we see quite a lot of Mexican fans joining us now because they want to be a part of this excitement. The drums are certainly making a big difference, they’re certainly hyping up things. I think it’s great, I think it’s wonderful to see so many Belizeans having come out to support our team.”
Anthony Michael, Director, National Sports Council
“When we come up, the CEO of the Ministry Of Finance Audrey Wallace gave us 200 flags to bring up. When we walked into the stadium Belizeans were begging for the flags. True patriots. Even some Mexicans asking because they are our neighbors.”
Keith Swift
“The fans in the stands, Belizean drums, the fans just going wild, how does that help you?”
Milton Palacio
“It’s helped us a lot having fan support when we make runs, they’re up cheering they’re up screaming. It’s sort of like a sixth man for us. We know that when we rally back, the fans are gonna stay on their feet screaming. We have great support. It helps us a lot.”
Right now though, the Belizean fans are being met by serious Mexican opposition as the home team and tournament favorite plays for gold.
But win or lose it’s going to be either gold or silver and the team returns to Belize tomorrow to much fanfare. There will be a motorcade through the main streets of Belize City to welcome them.
The route of the Motorcade is as follows:
Starting from the Phillip Goldson International Airport making a right onto the Northern Highway over the Haulover Bridge, down to the BELCAN Roundabout, onto Freetown Road, Left into St. Thomas Street, right into Princess Margaret Drive, right into Baymen Avenue, Left into Cinderella Plaza, Left into Freetown Road, Right into Victoria Street, Left into North Front Street, Left into Gabourel Lane into Handyside Street, into Daly Street, Left into Craig Street, Right into Barrack Road, Left into Douglas Jones Street, across the BELCHINA Bridge, into Youth for the Future Drive, right into Vernon Street, Left into Central American Boulevard around the Cemetery road roundabout into Cemetery road over the Pound Yard Bride, into Orange Street, right into Albert Street, right into Dean Street, left into Amara Avenue, right into Allenby Street onto Racoon Street, left into Dolphin Street into Fairweather Street, right into Ceasar Ridge road, right into Central American Boulevard and concludes at the Belize City Center.
