Turning now to a sports controversy, Tut Bay Football Club has a match scheduled for this weekend as part of an ongoing tournament; however, while they thought they would be playing at home here in the city, they were told today the match will be held in Belmopan. And their head coach is crying foul since they already played against the Mango Creek team in that village, and the return match should be held at Marion Jones. Jason Thurton came by our studio today and explained their side.
Jason Thurton, Head Coach, Tut Bay FC
"We came this week preparing to play at Marion Jones and they will look at us today and told us that we can't play at Marion Jones because it seems the field is not certified. We played on a field that is worse than Marion Jones this week, so we are asking: why don't you guys want us to play here? When we play at home, our fans support us and we have funding to deal with our team."
"We benefit off our home match. So if we run the bar, we run the stadium, and we get the people to support us, we take the funding and put back into the team. We are trying to arrange a BBQ sale to buy boots for the team. We have been playing in this jersey for the past 15 going on 16 games, which we have not lost since then, and these people are just bitter every time."
"They say no racism, but it seems like you guys have something again Tut Bay Team. What me, as one of the owners, could feel? I'm out here bleaching every week, Sunday to Sunday, doing music, got these youths trained and rested. If they come to me and say, 'Coach, nothing is happening,' I have to figure out how I will do it."
"It's $500 to register the team, a total of $1,700 to go to Mango Creek because you had to pay $500 for registration and $1,200 for the bus. They said they would give us $500 towards, so we still have to get the next $700. Food... players come back around 1:00. We have players that live in Caye Caulker and on the road; how could we maintain these youths to go home?"
Courtney Menzies:
"And so if nothing changes by this weekend, will you guys...?"
Jason Thurton:
"Well, right now, how I feel honestly, I don't want to make my team play this match. They only could suspend us, but I have to step up. This is the second time you guys are attacking me."
We reached out to FFB's General Secretary Ian Jones, who explained that Marion Jones' football stadium did not pass their assessment and is in no condition to be used for matches. He said they asked Tut Bay to suggest alternatives but the reality is that there are none in Belize City, and Belmopan was the next best option. He added that they are covering the transportation and that the condition of Marion Jones is out of their control.
Flashpoint in St. Lucia: Trinidad P.M. Fires 22-Page Broadside Against Dr. Carla Barnett
The CARICOM Heads of Government meeting started over the weekend in St. Lucia. And the ongoing tenure of Belizean Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett is a flashpoint.
Despite a friendly gesture towards Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett on stage-Trinidad's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar remains firm in her opposition to Barnett's re-appointment.
In a 22-page letter written to the regional leaders, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said that her administration, quote, "does not accept the process by which the Secretary-General was purportedly reappointed, and consequently, is unable to recognise the validity of the purported second term of the Secretary-General." She is asking regional leaders to seek an opinion from the Caribbean Court of Justice on the issue and also wants Barnett to be engaged on a "month-to-month basis" until there is a determination by the CCJ.
And while that contentious issue percolates in the background-Secretary General Barnett opened the meeting without any hint of distraction:
Dr. Carla Barnett, Caricom Secretary General
"As we gather here in St. Lucia for the 51st regular meeting of the conference, heads will focus on critical issues and decisions that must be taken to strengthen our regional integration process. This will be set against the backdrop of things we have achieved and the challenges of the past several years in order to guide the way ahead."
Belize's contingent to the meeting is led by Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre.
Bench and Bar Mourn Passing of Attorneys Robertha Magnus Usher and Agnes Segura Gillett
Today the Supreme Court held a special sitting to honor two attorneys who passed away in the last year. Robertha Magnus Usher died in Jamaica, while Agnes Segura Gillett-the wife of Fire Chief Colin Gillett-passed away here in Belize. Both women were remembered for their fearlessness, dedication, and passion. Courtney Menzies was at the memorial service today and has this story.
