Good evening and welcome to Sports Monday! I’m Paul Lopez, bringing you the latest in sports action. Tonight, we kick off with the exciting launch of the Seventh Annual Anthony Mahler Youth Football Tournament. The opening ceremony took place on Saturday at Berger Field, where the energy was palpable. Minister of Sports, Anthony Mahler, shared his thoughts on the event, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement in sports.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Sports
“When I started this with Tyrone Young and Stanley Reneau over seventeen years ago, it was to create an environment where young people could learn how to play football, but meet each other, become friends, play in competition with each other, so they know each other. For many of the young men especially, that they would think twice to pick up a gun and hurt one of their friends right. I know it happens, but they will think twice at least and to create an environment where they can learn discipline, teamwork, where they can learn comradery, all of these disciplines and things that sports teaches us. Discipline is important. One of the greatest hurdles for Belize to achieve its true and full potential is an undisciplined society. We drive how we want, run around on cycles. Everyday I run round I see cycles on the ground because we drive how we want, throw garbage on the ground how they want, we plant trees on the highway and they thief them.”
Saturday was all about the game as young athletes hit the field for the Seventh Annual Anthony Mahler Youth Football Tournament. The event officially kicked off with Minister Mahler’s ceremonial first kick, which was impressively blocked by one of the young players. The action continued with the first match of the day, featuring Berger F.C. against defending champions Belize United. By the end of the first period, the teams were neck and neck, tied at one goal each. In the second period, Berger’s Camron Brown was positioned in front of the goal when Belize United sought to clear the ball. Brown intercepted the pass and fired a shot towards the goalpost, putting his team up by one point.
Five minutes later, Berger’s Zoayen Jones launched a bullet toward the goalpost from midfield. That one was right on target. Berger extended their lead with three goals. In the third and final period of the match, the defending champs were desperately seeking an answer to the onslaught. This shot from Shae Gordon almost made it into the net but ricocheted off the crossbar. Another excellent attempt by Belize United off a header saw the same result. At the other end of the field, Zoayen Jones was able to deliver another goal for his team that took Berger to four goals. They brought down the defending champion in the opening match of the season. This year’s Anthony Mahler Youth Football Tournament is even more exciting with the inclusion of under-ten players. These young athletes are given two ten-minute periods to showcase their skills, with a rule ensuring every player gets at least two minutes of playtime.
Let’s dive into the matchup between Belize United and Ladyville Rising Stars. The young talents from both teams brought their A-game, making for an engaging and spirited competition. Seven minutes into this one, John Habet got a good look at the goal and kicked the ball over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net. He scored the first goal of the match for Belize United. In a thrilling moment during the second period, Alpheas Cleland of the Rising Stars seized control of the ball right in front of the goal. With skill and precision, Cleland scored, bringing his team level with Belize United at one goal apiece. The excitement is palpable as these young athletes showcase their talent in the Anthony Mahler Youth Football Tournament. Three minutes later, Azaire Gaynair, from the sideline launched an absolute beauty of a shot that flew above the goalkeeper’s head and into the goalpost. Belize United came out on top in this one, two goals to one.
From football, we move into some softball action. The Rogers Stadium came alive this weekend for the Belize District Fast Pitch Softball Tournament 2025 season opener. On Friday night, the Belize Bank Bulldogs faced off against Beacons Softball Club. Bulldog’s Janeka Hilton scored her team’s only run in the first inning after the catcher threw the ball to second base. Hilton took a tumble at the home plate but she scored the run. Sharon Vernon for Beacon now up to bat. She sent the ball flying into the right field. The outfielder missed the ball, giving Vernon an opportunity to sprint all the way to third base. Vernon made it across the home plate on the following play, equaling the score at one run apiece. Bulldogs’ Raven Card scored a second run in the second inning after the Beacons fumbled a pop-up ball that dropped near second base.
And that was the extent of the runs that Bulldogs made on Friday night. Beacons held them to two. On the other hand, Beacons went on to score five additional runs, two in the third inning and three in the fourth. They won the match, six runs to two. More exciting matchups are scheduled for later this week. Well folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
The government has officially declared new boundaries for seven towns.
Effective April 1, 2025, the towns of Punta Gorda, Dangriga, Benque Viejo, San Ignacio/Santa Elena, Orange Walk, Corozal, and San Pedro will operate under newly delineated boundaries. This decision stems from a Cabinet resolution in July 2021, which revived the Municipal Boundaries Re-Delineation Exercise initially started in 2012.
According to the government, the redelineation process, completed in the last quarter of the previous fiscal year, involved extensive consultations and sensitisation sessions with key stakeholders. These included town councils, buffering village councils, area representatives, and the general public.
The new boundaries are designed to align with the towns’ development and growth, ensuring effective management, administration, and delivery of municipal services without compromising the recognised boundaries of adjacent villages.
The previous boundaries for these towns were established in the 1980s and 1990s. The updated jurisdictions can be accessed through declarations published in the Gazette or via electronic copies from the respective town councils and the Department of Local Government.
The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) announced a national demonstration in Belmopan for this Friday, following overwhelming support for industrial action by its membership. More than 2,500 teachers voted in favour during a meeting of nearly 3,000 union members held last week.
The demonstration is the first step in a three-phase strategy that includes a potential two-day national shutdown and could end up in a full strike. The union is demanding a salary adjustment and a raise in the minimum wage from $5 to $6 per hour, citing recent pay increases granted to high-level government officials, including the Cabinet Secretary and the CEOs.
“When the CEOs got their 20% and we’ve been there waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting… it’s like, we’re not important. So we want the government to understand we matter. We have value. Please consider us,” the BNTU national president Nadia Caliz told News 5.
Caliz detailed the union’s demands, including an 8.5% minimum salary adjustment. The union is also asking the government to officially confirm in writing a past agreement so that members “so that people can receive what is rightfully theirs.”
Caliz suggested that the government focus on paying the union members who are actively contributing and supporting the negotiations to alleviate the financial strain it would cause to pay all public officers and teachers.
Minister of Sports Anthony Mahler is pushing back against criticism from the Public Service Union (PSU) with regards to a proposed plan to fire people from the departments of Youth and Sports.
The PSU issued a statement in early April following comments made by Minister of State Devin Daly during an interview on Open Your Eyes, where Daly shared that the effectiveness of programmes and staffing within the department to improve overall efficiency was being reviewed.
Over the weekend, Minister Mahler offered his perspective on the union’s concerns. He expressed disappointment in how the PSU handled the issue, stating that the union should have first sought dialogue before going public.
“But how can you go public without saying, ‘Hey, I pick up the phone and call the minister – ‘Yo, really, what is it that you want to accomplish?’ That is the true meaning of dialogue,” Mahler said. “You get out there and say a whole pile of things where you hear one side of the story.”
Mahler argued that with nearly 300 people employed in both departments and what he described as “failing” programs, change is necessary.
“To me, if you have almost 300 people working in both entities and most of the programmes are failing miserably, then it has to be done. Then something has to be done.”
While Mahler insisted he is not in favour of removing dedicated workers, he made it clear that so-called “ghost workers” would not be tolerated.
“I don’t believe in taking bread out of people’s mouths… and I don’t believe inring hard-working people,” he said. “But if you’re doing nothing, if you’re a ghost worker, you go home. And I have no apologies for that.”
Newly appointed Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado is supporting a six-month state of emergency following rising tensions between rival groups within the Martins area in Belize City.
On Saturday, 27-year-old Jimmy Rojas, previously charged in connection with the 2024 murder of Jose Matus, survived an attempted shooting on Croton Lane in Belize City. By this morning, suspected rival Aaron Lindo was shot and killed in Double Head Cabbage, and just hours later, Nelson Henry, also known as “Mung”, was gunned down in Ladyville.
Police are investigating possible links between the killings as part of an ongoing gang conflict.
This morning on Open Your Eyes, Commissioner Rosado described the increase of gang-related activities as a ‘critical situation.’ He said, “I do believe there’s a need for a State of Emergency to address security concerns when the violence has reached a critical situation.”
He said an SOE is “up for discussion” and that he would “surely support” it to allow the authorities to “reassess the situation.” Rosado also stated that “Rather than doing a one-month or a 3-month period, I think we need to pursue a 6-month period… I would extend it.”
Police are investigating the fatal shooting of Nelson Henry, also known as “Mung,” who was gunned down in Ladyville earlier today. His death occurred just hours after another man, Aaron Lindo, was shot and killed in Double Head Cabbage village.
Lindo was a known affiliate of the PIV gang, and investigators are looking into whether the two killings are connected as part of a wider gang conflict.
Henry had a history with law enforcement and was once charged in connection with the 2011 murder of Edward Lord Jr., another PIV affiliate. Lord was previously implicated in the high-profile killing of George “Junie Balls” McKenzie, the reputed leader of the Majestic Alley gang.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday a sweeping 100% tariff on all films “produced in foreign lands”, claiming the American film industry is under attack and labelling foreign incentives a “national security threat.”
“WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “I am authorising the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to immediately begin the process.”
Film production in Los Angeles has declined nearly 40% over the last decade, according to FilmLA.
Trump added, “This is a concerted effort by other nations and, therefore, a national security threat…. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!”
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick responded on X, stating, “We’re on it,” The Guardian reported.
Police are investigating the murder of Aaron Lindo from Belize City this morning.
Lindo was fatally shot in Double Head Cabbage Village.
Video footage circulating online shows Lindo lying on the ground being held by two females.
Police processed the scene and have not confirmed the motive, and suspects remain unknown.
The Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Panton, condemned the growing violence across Belize in a social media statement. “The brazen killing of Aaron Lindo as he stood at a bus stop with his wife is yet another painful reminder that violence has spiralled dangerously out of control in our nation,” she stated.
Panton added that “far too many Belizeans are living under siege, gripped by fear and uncertainty,” and stressed that “every act of brutality chips away at the foundations of our society.”
An official summary of the Cabinet meeting held on Monday, April 29, 2025 has been released. Several key announcements and policy decisions were made, including updates on the National Assembly, transportation fees, and international trade agreements.
Prime Minister John Briceño informed Cabinet that he has recommended to the Governor General that the inaugural sitting of the 14th Session of the National Assembly will take place on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The session will be held in front of
Cabinet received an update on arrival procedures for commercial recreational vessels and pleasure yachts entering Belize. To support the growth of nautical tourism, the Minister of Tourism has been tasked with initiating legislative and policy reforms to address current operational and financial challenges in the sector.
In response to feedback from the transportation sector, Cabinet approved a reduction in the axle fee for cargo trucks from $30.00 to $10.00. The move aims to ease the financial burden on Belizean truckers and ensure a more equitable rate structure.
Cabinet approved the launch of the Single Registration regime for professionals under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade. Relevant government agencies will work with the Directory of Foreign Trade to implement this initiative. Consultations will continue with professional associations that are not yet ready to participate.
Amendments to the Customs and Excise Duties Act have been approved to reflect scheduled duty reductions. These changes align with Belize’s commitments under the Belize-Taiwan Economic Cooperation Agreement, as well as the CARIFORUM-EU and CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreements.
Police are currently investigating a reported bomb threat at the Immigration Department offices in Belmopan.
Authorities responded early this morning after receiving information about the potential threat. As a safety precaution, staff members of the Immigration Department, along with nearby vendors, were instructed to evacuate the area.
Police have cordoned off the scene and are conducting a thorough search of the premises. The BDF’s bomb expert is expected to inspect the building.
