After Vega-Samos, Minister of Transport, Youth and Sports, Rodwell Ferguson stood to give updates on his ministry. They're getting an increase in their budget and he explained that, as it relates to sports, they will be restoring dilapidated and damaged football fields in the city.
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Youth, Sports, & Transportation
"I assumed the responsibility of the Minister of Youth and Sports and I can tell you that in those two departments, practically nothing was going on. People go to work just to get paid and no production. But when the prime minister decided to separate youth and sports along with transportation, then it made the people feel that youth and spots is priority because our young people of this country are very important so now youth and sports is the main ministry in the youth, sports and transportation."
"Madam Speaker, as I turn to sports, in 2021, 1.7 million dollars was allotted to sports in 2021. In the budget of 2023-2024, 3.2 million dollars have been allotted for a period of 3 years, so I can tell you under the PUP government, we recognize the importance of sports so it has been increased by roughly 53%."
"I visited the field by the Raccoon Street Police Station about a month ago and Madam Speaker, I can tell you that particular field is in deplorable conditions and I want to assure the people of that area that within this budget, we are going to renovate that football field for the people of Belize City."
"MCC football field has been a tradition for many years as we can reflect back in history. It was partially destroyed by Hurricane Lisa, over 60 years, partially destroyed by Hurricane Lisa. Right now we are doing a study of MCC and putting a plan together to figure how we can get back the MCC the way it was in the past."
"Mexico Center, it was also partially destroyed by Hurricane Lisa. Practically the entire roof gone. To renovate it back it will cost us over $300,000, even though that center has not been fully passed over to Belize by Mexico though UNOX. I happen to went to Mexico three weeks ago, I brought up the conversation with them, and they asked us for an estimate and to get back to them to see how they can assist in repairing Mexico Center. So in a matter of months, you will see Mexico Center back in action."
