The National Sports Council hosted an Appreciation Dinner last night for the U-17 Male Basketball Team, coaching staff and Belize Basketball Federation Executive. It was to celebrate the first time in history that Belize has qualified to participate in the U-18 FIBA Americas Championship. This is also the first time that Belize has hosted the U-17 Central American Tournament and won a medal. We used the opportunity to speak with some of the players about the upcoming championship. Jomarie Lanza reports:
After their historic win on Sunday, beating Mexico 87-72 for the bronze medal, the Belize Basketball Federation and the National Sports Council organized an event to honor the boys, the coaches, and everyone who worked to assist the U-17 team bring home the hardware. They all sat down for a thank you dinner, still in recovery from Sunday's excitement, but optimistic about what's to come as the team approaches the onset of preparation for FIBA's U-18 Americas Championship, set to take place next year.
Marvin Ottley, Deputy Director, National sports council
"Well we are extremely proud, extremely proud of the boys and the basketball federation to put a project like this together is certainly not easy and the response from the general public and from the fans that attended the game overall I think it was overwhelming this is really good for sports for Belize."
"They qualify for the tournament of the Americas now at the U18 level. And the tournament of the Americas is where you face the Brazil's the Argentina, the Cuba the USA those are the big boys at that level so we cannot say how proud we are of the kids. The coach has explained more than one time that the project is really only 30 days old, and to put something like that together and to win bronze; More so we had our six person at home which is the fans who really drive the team a lot on Sunday so I think that's what today is about it's to give a thank you to all the players and the coaching staff."
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Sports
"Their performance is excellent. A matter of fact we are the best team in Central America and we defeated a country with a population of 130 million and we can only choose from 400 thousand so I want to give my guys kudos, and I told the president and the federation that we are going to back them as they enter the under 18 basketball competition next year in the Americas and we are 100% behind them."
And while the players are being celebrated, what's it been like for the players - coalescing as a team for the first time in this tournament.
Tevaughn Dawson, 2 Guard, U-17
"It's the first time Belize ever been in this position so you know it feels great for my family, myself and you know the whole Belize."
Jason Orozco, 3 Guard, U-17
"I feel so great playing for Team Belize. We go out there and we have the fan behind us every night supporting us. Not in the game but ourself we thank Belize so much getting behind us every night cheering us so we can keep the momentum in the game."
But are our boys prepared to compete against some of the most formidable basketball powerhouses in the world? What will the preparation look like going into this upcoming championship? We asked them what they plan to do differently.
Tevaughn Dawson, 2 Guard, U-17
"Definitely build team chemistry, be in the gym more, work out, get bigger and also we will play faster ball, get in shape you know get in shape that's it."
Jason Orozco, 3 Guard, U-17
"Yeah, get in the gym and work harder. You know it's a different level playing against team USA and those teams. We are definitely going to work harder, especially building chemistry with our team."
Reporter
"Are you nervous?"
Jason Orozco, 3 Guard, U-17
"Yeah it's a big team, I'm nervous too."
That was last night, and the Ministry of Sports is having another event tonight, this one for the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 CODICADER games. That ceremony started at 6:00 pm.
