16 Track and Field Athletes Depart for CADICA Games  

Today, sixteen, young, promising, Belizean athletes are making the trip to Costa Rica to participate in the annual Central American and Caribbean Athletic Championships. This prestigious event allows athletes across the region to showcase their talents and dedication in various sporting disciplines. In 2023, Belize brought home seven gold, eight silver and two bronze medals in various disciplines. Today, we attended a press conference held with the delegation before they departed for the competition. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The 2024 CADICA Games are almost here, and sixteen Belizean athletes are brimming with anticipation. Last year, the delegation returned home with seventeen medals, and the Belize Athletic Association is confident that this year will be another success. At the final press conference held before athletes left for Costa Rica, we spoke with BAA president, Cojac Smith, who said that they are simply encouraging the participants to do their best.

 

Cojac Smith, President, Belize Athletic Association

“We just encourage them to do their best and whatever results are yield from that, then we’re okay with it. So we just want the athletes to be okay, performing and at the peak level and don’t have any additional pressure in what type of medals they bring down. But to be honest with us, with you, and the Belizean public, the Athletic Association is very confident in this group of kids that we’re sending out. So we think that they’ll do well.”

 

Over the course of two days, the athletes will participate in a variety of running, throwing, and jumping events. Smith said that the level of preparation the athletes have been able to achieve while balancing  schoolwork is commendable.

 

Cojac Smith

“It has been arduous. It’s a year in process. They’ve been training with their coaches. Some of them are from out district. One of the things that this association wanted to do was capture at least from throughout the country getting the best possible at least that we could get throughout the country. So we did some research and got somebody at least him from the high school nationals that went and we were able to get someone at least there. They went to the nationals that we did recently and they performed well and they met the standards. So it’s not a easy process balancing school as well as athletics. So you have to give kudos to these young people that are pushing forward and trying to balance both of it.”

 

The delegation will be accompanied by several coaches, chaperones, and a physiotherapist to assist with any discomfort or injuries. Minister of Sports, Rodwell Ferguson said that it is crucial that Belizeans continue to support sports as it is expensive to maintain.

 

Rodwell Ferguson, Minster of Sports

“I believe every citizen in this country should be proud to say I contributed for the team that went to represent our country because when they come back and they win, we all make a big hooray and say congratulations. But we don’t ask ourselves, how much have we contributed?  And as the Minister of Sports, what I have noticed lately, that many letters are coming to the Ministry and the National Sports Council for requests. We do not know if these letters are authentic. Anybody who wants to do a quick fundraiser, wah write and seh I di do X, Y and Z in sports and I expect to get a contribution. Our budget is very small. We have to spend it wisely.”

 

Ferguson said that in order to assist the association with funding, he had to get creative.

Rodwell Ferguson

“Fortunately, you are lucky that when you came over two and a half months ago, I had to put on my thinking cap and we were able to sponsor over seventy-five percent of your trip going to Costa Rica, so we expect you to come back and make Belize proud.  I also want to commend the coaches. Miska was in Venezuela that they go and they take very good care of our children. That is the most important thing. Because the parents expect that when they come back, you might see that the child was well disciplined, and they performed to the best of their ability.”

 

 

We spoke with Rupert Cardinez, who competes in one hundred and two hundred meter runs and hurdles. Last year, he brought home two medals for Belize.

 

Britney Gordon

“Last year, you said you took home a medal. What medal did you bring home?”

 

Rupert Cardinez, Athlete

“For one hundred I get a silver and for my next race in El Salvador I get a bronze for hurdle.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So how are you feeling? You’re about to make this long journey over to Costa Rica to represent Belize. How are you feeling right now?”

 

Rupert Cardinez

“Well I feel good Because I’m only going with one mindset. I just want everybody to be proud.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Are you confident.”

 

Rupert Cardinez

“Yes ma’am. Really.”

 

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.