A Basketball Tournament Where Children Rule

In an age when a lot of children are glued to their devices and spend a lot of time inside, one organization is working to get children active through basketball. Arana Consultancies hosted its second Peewee Invitational Tournament for basketball teams under the age of thirteen. This is not an age group that we commonly see participating in basketball competitions. But the individuals behind the tournament believe that it is the ideal time to capture the attention of these children and establish the foundation necessary for a successful future. News Five’s Paul Lopez tells us more.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

According to experts, the best time to start teaching children basketball is between the ages of three to five years old. That’s when children begin to develop fundamental motor skills. Unfortunately, this approach has been widely lacking in Belize. That is until Arana Consultancies stepped in and launched the Pee-Wee Basketball Invitational Tournament.

 

Rumile Arana, Tournament Coordinator

“I wanted to engage younger children to help them gather and learn how to play basketball the right way, so that when we get them to that level, U-17, U-18, that we are prepared and ready to take on the world.”

 

And taking on the world begins with playing against their peers at the under ten and under thirteen levels. A total of eight teams competed in the tournament. One of the primary rules is that every player must get play time, regardless of the size or skill level.

 

Rumile Arana

“Yo guh for the ball, you get it from Kenetth and run. Once Kenneth guh lef everybody yo give ah.”

 

And it is not all about winning, though some of these young athletes displayed competitiveness beyond their age. One basketball academy that participated in the tournament is taking training on and off the court to the next level. They are the Conquering Lions, and they went undefeated.

 

Dianell Brackett, Head Coach, Conquering Lions Academy

“Conquering Lions Academy is sort of a ministry. We link basketball with religion. I use basketball to capture the younger kids. Mainly we would have a lot of bible studies, and I would invite the kids to church on Sundays and also we would go to children camps I am really amazed. Going into this I knew that these kids would have learned, but I never knew they would learn this quickly.”

 

Samir Marin, Athletes, Conquering Lions

“I feel very special because we dah one of the best in the country, it is facts. I feel good.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What is it like playing with your teammates?”

 

Samir Marin

“I got one of the best teammates ever. I feel good playing with all of my teammates, confident in all of them.”

 

John Gillett, Athletes, Conquering Lions

“Sometimes I feel nervous, sometimes I feel excited, but I just want to have fun.

 

I like to take far shots, because whenever a lot of people are in the paint you have to find ways to shoot or get a layup. So I usually shoot from far.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Do you have a professional basketball player to inspire you, that you look up to?”

 

John Gillett

“Kobe and Michael Jordan.”

 

Samir Marin

“I look up to Kobe and Michael Jordan.”

 

Paul Lopez

“So none of you look up to Lebron?”

 

We will leave the so-called king of basketball out of this one. The peewee tournament is however not short of local basketball celebrities, like two-time Belize Elite Basketball League MVP Nigel Jones who heads his own academy the MVPs.

 

Nigel Jones, Coach, MVPs

“To see the progress we made in a year is amazing.  Like I catch myself when I am coaching the kids, I catch myself more energized for their games when I am actually playing myself. Just to see the passion, the excitement and enjoyment they are getting form the same game we all love, I am glad they allow me to be the one to help them. Me and the two guys, it is a blessing for us. So, we just thankful for that.”

 

This is Arana Consultancies second Peewee Invitational. Both were held in Belize City. His vision is to take this on the road with the right sponsorship.

 

Rumile Arana

“To see the look on those kids’ faces when they are out there. There are children out there getting their first jersey, their first opportunity to run up and down that court. That could be a lifetime of joy for them. From that I could say I am doing something that is fulfilling for me.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez