We caught up with Ferguson at the launch of an innovative new app. It's called "Support Sports Bz" - and it gives anyone to make any size of contribution using a debit or credit card or a bank transfer.
It's fairly effortless and the idea behind it is to get more support for Belize's various sporting federations as they organize tournaments locally or compete internationally.
At the formal launch today, the Minister said transparency is key:
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport
"It's your contribution, when you contribute, we are going to contribute back to our athletes. I am very cognizant and I am of the belief that this app should work. As the jingle say, we are asking you from one dollar to a million."
Gilroy Usher, Min. of State - Sports
"So for the app to succeed, it is the duty of every citizen who says they love the country and wants to see sports develop in the country to make a contribution to the app as much as possible."
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport
"We have about 40 to 41 federations. We are asking all football teams, all basketball teams to register with their federations. We are not going to accept any request from you individually. We want to make sure that your federation know that you are making a request for assistance for whatever sport is necessary."
"Over the years, people have become disillusioned because they believe that the money at the national sports council is being spent and not spent properly. But I have a very good relationship with the board and I know once we put the task in place that everybody will follow suits and make sure that their money is spent wisely."
"We are going to also launch the app in the diaspora because we believe that there are a lot of Belizean Americans who want to contribute back home. But they refuse to do so because there is no accountability."
"The moment we start to receive people's money and don't account for it, that will be the end of the app. There must be full accountability on a monthly basis. So if we receive 100,000 for the month of June, and we spend 75,000, I hope the board can present to the nation how much we make for the month, how much we spend for the month, and how much is left."
Iris Centeno, Director of Sports
"Please support the dream of Belizean athlete, provide the opportunity for them to be successful. Support Sports Belize app, download and contribute."
Aziel Ku, App Developer, Codetech
"Once you open the app, you will see at the bottom there is a donate now button, and you're able to click that and it will open and allow you to select whether that be a credit card for international donors, or you can use your local debit card for Belize Bank, Atlantic Bank or Heritage."
"You can do as well for those that might not be tech savvy, you can also use the direct deposit meaning you can make the transfer right in your personal bank account and then just upload the payment towards their platform and they can register that payment as well."
The app is live now for IOS and Android phones and you can download it on your phone and make a contribution of any size you wish.
