Entertainment - Channel 5 Belize

Boxer Amir Rudon to Face off Against Toughest Opponent Yet

We have been following his development as a boxer, and on Saturday night twenty-three-year-old Amir Rudon will face off against his toughest opponent yet. Juan “El Toro” Mendez has more recorded fights under his belt. He is five years older than Rudon and aims to knock out his opponents. This match is Rudon’s Super Lightweight debut at one hundred and forty pounds. He describes it as a steppingstone towards much bigger titles. On Saturday, News Five’s Paul Lopez joined Rudon inside Alpha Boxing Club. Here is that report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

He is about to face his most challenging opponent to date. On Saturday, July twentieth, Amir “King Mir” Rudon will go head-to-head with Guatemalan Juan “El Toro” Mendez in a six round super lightweight bout.

Amir Rudon, Boxer, National Lightweight Champion

“It seems to me that he has a power punch or a knockout punch, his record is a eight wins, three losses, but seven of his victories are by way of knock out.”

On Saturday, Rudon gave reporters a sneak peek into his training routine inside Alpha Boxing Club. Against his sparring partner, Rudon shows a great balance between speed and patience as he looks for the openings his opponent may present. With much precision, Rudon lands a few punches to his opponent’s body and couple to the face. His combinations are quick and show off his ability to manage the space between his opponent and pounce at any given moment. Rudon took a couple blows and dodged many of the shots directed towards him.

Amir Rudon

“I keep wanting to fight against better opponents, better names, bigger fights, step up into the competition and fight for regional titles and those stuff, so this is definitely sort of a test, I think it’s safe to say it’s a test to see if you want to say, “if we are ready for what’s to come”, and I’m confident in passing the test for sure.”

Paul Lopez

“The more we talk to you over the years, we continue to see our circle of influence grow, we continue to see you inspire more and more young boxers because of your discipline and the commitment you have to that. How do you feel about the level of influence you have right now and the inspiration that you’re creating for many young boxers?”

Amir Rudon

“It is with upmost pride and honor to be in this position, and I don’t take it lightly, or anything like that. It’s definitely been a long journey and I appreciate all the support I am receiving. You know, I’m not alone, although it’s a lonely sport, I’m not alone, I have a great team of people around me. I got you guys; I got the country’s support and I appreciate every single thing and we’ll go to the top together.”

Rudon’s eyes are set on winning a world title for Belize. As a twenty-three-year-old boxer with a promising future in boxing ahead of him, getting there requires focus on the opponent at hand. Mendez is coming into this one with two consecutive wins under his belt. Rudon is five years younger than Mendez, and this will be his first time fighting at one hundred and forty pounds.

Paul Lopez

“How well do you believe you could hold out for 6 rounds, against such a high caliber of a opponent like the one you’re facing next week?”

Amir Rudon

“100% confident that I will be able to go 6 rounds with him, I’m preparing for much more than that, its only that this fight is going to be 6 rounds but I’m confident that could do more rounds, next week Saturday or you know, anytime its presented.”

Steven Heusner, one of the members of the group that manages Rudon, is confident that he is currently in the best form to face off against Mendez.

Steven Heusner, Member, Amir Rudon Managing Team

“He was three and zero, but now it is six and zero with three straight knock outs, and you know it’s been a lot of work behind the scenes training, getting, you know, we just came back from Houston from a five-week training, which was very extensive. You know so, the level is going up, it’s a lot of hard work, you know I’m calling Amir almost every day. His mom, Mr. Marin, my wife, you know the support team is there all the time.”

Paul Lopez

What sort of contributions does your team Make in deciding who’s the next opponent for Amir?

Steven Heusner

“Well, you know, it’s a, we’re building, so as we go along, we’re going up in the opponent’s quality, you know so this is the biggest step for him so far, and if we get past this one, September will be a bigger step for him as well.”

Amir Rudon

“Sorry to interrupt, when, when not if, when.” *laughs*

The fight is set to go down inside the Swift Hall in Belize City.

Steven Heusner

“It is going to be exciting, Amir has improved juristically, and we are guaranteeing a victory, and we want to see the opponent on the canvas.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Belize United’s Fourth Consecutive Mundialito Championship

Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. The Anthony Mahler Under-Thirteen Mundialito Tournament has come to an end. Champions were declared for both male and female categories on Sunday.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

In the female category, Royal Fusion went up against Alvian Strikers for the championship trophy. Three minutes into the match Royal Fusion’s Amina Burgess sprinting down the other end, made the pass at midfield, got it back and wasted no time disposing the ball into the net. That’s one goal for Royal Fusion. Only two minutes later, Alvian Striker’s Aisha Reyes found an opportunity in front of the goalpost off a corner kick, and she made it count, tying the game. And just before the end of the first half, the referee called a handball against Alvian Strikers inside the penalty box. Jocelyn Zuniga gave Royal Fusion a two-to-one lead.

Up by one with one minute of play time remaining, Amira Burgess, up against multiple defenders found the opening at the top of the penalty box and sealed the victory for her team. The award for Best Forwards went to Royal Fusion’s Jocelyn Zuniga. Akila Baizar received the Best Goalkeeper Award, while Amina Burgess received the Most Goal and Playoff M.V.P. awards. Alvian Strikers also walked away with four personal awards, including the Regular Season M.V.P. and Best Coach.

The male finals were played immediately after that game. By this time, fans had filled the stands inside Berger Field. They were all in a celebratory mood as the atmosphere was filled with drumming and cheering. This was 2023 finals rematch between Ladyville Rising Stars and Belize United. Rising Stars lost to Belize United then and so they had something to prove. Belize United sought to defend their title and secure a fourth consecutive championship. After thirty-six minutes of hard-fought playtime from both teams, that even left Belize United’s goalkeeper gasping for air, this one came down to a penalty shootout.

Fredrick Garbutt was the first penalty kicker for Rising Stars. He managed to outplace goalkeeper Noe Flores. Belize United’s Ralph Mendonza sent the ball to the left of the goal. The goalkeeper predicted the kick but just could not get the stop. Kent Noralez kicked was the second kicker for Rising Stars and he easily counted the goal.

Belize United’s Jaime Dominquez returned the favor. The penalty shootout was now two goals each.Unfortunately for Rising Stars, Zion Gibson’s penalty kick was stopped by goalkeeper Noe Flores. Schae Gordon launched a rocket to goal for Belize United to put them up, three goals to two.

Jahan Kingston kept Ladyville Rising Stars in this one with a necessary goal. Christopher Gilharry counted the fourth straight made penalty shot for Belize United. Nigel Hulse Junior with the most critical shot for Rising Stars. Goalkeeper Noe Flores again with the stop and players and fans alike erupted in celebration.

Belize United secured its fourth straight Anthony Mahler Under-Thirteen Mundialito Championship. Noe Flores was awarded the playoff M.V.P. trophy. So that brings an end to an exciting season for these young and promising athletes.

Over the course of the five days, Belize’s National Senior Women Football Team fought Bermuda in two friendly matches. The first match was held on Thursday night inside the F.F.B. Stadium. Belize won that match two goals to zero. A rematch was held on Saturday night at the same venue. Unfortunately for the National Senior Women Football Team, Bermuda came out on top in that one. They scored two goals, while team Belize was unable to get one in. The team will be travelling over the coming months to play additional friendly matches.

F.F.B.’s National Amateur Interdistrict Championship is well underway. A total of eight teams have qualified for the quarterfinals. What is making news tonight is Saturday night’s match between Napoles F.C. and Ceasar Ridge F.C. inside the Isidoro Beaton Stadium. These highlights are courtesy Accion Deportiva Belize.

The referee called a handball inside the penalty box against Ceasar Ridge at the eightieth minute. As you can see, the call is made off a play directly in front of the goal. A penalty shot was awarded to Napoles.

Moments later, a Ceasar Ridge player is issued a red card after he confronted the referee. That player’s anger clearly increased and attacked the referee, physically assaulting him on the field. Two police officers intervened, and a struggle ensued between the player and the officers as he was being escorted to the locker room. The F.F.B. is yet to issue a statement on this incident. Napoles went on to win the match four goals to zero.

Speaking of national teams, Belize’s National Under-Twenty-One Female Volleyball Team has a big week ahead of them. Belize is hosting the Twentieth U-Twenty-One Central American Volleyball Championship. The tournament is set to begin on Tuesday night inside the Belize City Civic Center. The opening ceremony is scheduled for six p.m. Team Belize will play its first match against Nicaragua immediately after. This tournament comes on the heels of Belize bronze medal performance at the U-Twenty-Three Central American Championship in Honduras. Nicaragua won gold in that tournament. We heard from Team Captain, Gareth Bruce.

Gareth Bruce, Team Captain

“I feel like all of us are well prepared, we are well developed and experienced since of our past tournaments. For most of us it is not our first time, but I can tell you that for my first time it was pretty exciting to travel and have your home crowd behind you supporting and have your coaches believing in you that you can do well and represent your country as best as you can.”

Team Belize is scheduled to play Honduras on Wednesday night, El Salvador on Friday and Guatemala on Saturday night. That will be the last game before the award ceremony.

Well folks that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.

Life-Saving Swim Lesson Provided to Belize City Children Free of Cost

The Belize Police Department and the Belize Coast Guards have once again teamed up to provide free swimming lessons to the children of Belize City. The annual program is facilitated by the Community Policing Unit to reach children who would not have access to swimming lessons otherwise. The program aims to teach life-saving abilities to children, as well as forge stronger bonds between youths and law enforcement. News Five’s Britney Gordon stopped by the classes being held at the Princess Ramada earlier today for more details. Here’s that story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Every year, approximately two hundred, thirty-six thousand people die from drowning around the world. According to the World Health Organization, it is the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide, accounting for seven percent of them. And children are some of the most vulnerable of the population to this threat. To curb these numbers, the Belize Police Department and the Belize Coast Guard have teamed up to host the annual community swimming program. During this two-week course, children will be educated on safe water practices and swimming techniques. ACP Howell Gillett, National Commander of the Community Policing Unit, tells us the aim of the program

A.C.P. Howell Gillett, Nat’l Commander, Community Policing Unit

“What we’re trying to achieve is to first of all get young people closer to law enforcement. I believe after this they could say police officer by name or a coast guard officer by name. Apart from the What we want to do is to reduce the number of instances of drowning incidents where we have to respond to so that the police could be using in other areas in the country. So they’re learning at society that is proficient in swimming, there’ll be less reports, there’ll be less risk taken by kids. Our If we do have to report, I believe it will be if the community is proficient, then they can assist the law enforcement. It is an opportune time because it’s summer break on kids. It’s almost impossible to keep kids away from waterways, so we want them to go in a safe way on knowing how to swim.”

The program has been in operation since 2016. Children are selected by the Community Policing Unit and taught by the Belize Coast Guard. Gladis Itch, an instructor, says that safety comes first when it comes to teaching children and that her role is not only to get children comfortable with water, but also impart skills that will help them to survive.

Gladis Itch, Swimming Instructor

“What I get is the joy of graduation day when kids, there are some that come that are literally scared of entering the water. They’re actually swimming across the pool. And that gives us great joy to see that big accomplishment.”

Since the initial launch of the program, nearly five hundred children have been taught to swim. Participants range from ages five to fifteen years old. Fourteen-year-old Keyvaun Augustin says he did not have any prior swimming knowledge before joining the program but has since seen great improvement in his skills.

Britney Gordon

“What have you learned so far?”

Keyvaun Augustin, Participant

“I’ve learned doggy paddle, and also how to hold my breath really, really good. And I think I’ve improved on that.”

Britney Gordon

“Have you made any sort of bonds with the other students here that are part of it and with the instructors?”

Keyvaun Augustin

“Yes, ma’am. I have made a strong, like a very strong bond with my classmates in our program.”

Britney Gordon

“And what are you hoping you will learn by the end of next week?”

Keyvaun Augustin

“By the end of next week, I hope I’ll learn to save or at least help others drowning.”

Gillett says that the participants were selected from various communities within Belize City by the community policing officers and he plans to expand the program to other districts in the future.

A.C.P. Howell Gillett

“Despite your socio economic condition, that should not stop you from learning a very important life skill. These kids may never be involved because it’s too costly to have your children in a swimming program, but we bring it to them at no cost at all. And we’re grateful for all who sponsor this program.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Touching Lives of Children Through the Belize Camping Experience

Summer is here and the Belize Camping Experience has once again begun its series of summer activities for children and youths across the country. For years, the organization has been hosting summer camps, where children learn life skills and form bonds with their communities. This year, B.C.E. is hosting over thirteen camps across Belize. Today, News Five’s Britney Gordon stopped by one of these camps in the Jane Usher Boulevard area to hear how the activities are going so far. Here’s more on that.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Love, goodness, kindness, and self-control; these are a few of the spiritual virtues outlined in the Bible for people to strive towards. These are also a few of the practices the Belize Camping Experience is hoping to impart on children and youths during its annual summer activities. Alexander Perez, Director of BCE, tells us about this endeavor.

Alexander Perez, Director, Belize Camping Experience

“One of the team. of this year is to teach the kids that the words are important, that their words are important, because if they disrespect mommy at home, can you imagine they will respect the police officer and the principal? So teaching them that their words is important and that they are important as well. Another thing that we’re teaching this summer is about habits. What are good habits and how do you build up good habits and what is the habits about saving money because sometimes, you know, when difficult time comes, teaching them about saving, teaching them about good habits and the other, other lessons is about love. What is love? Is love just a feeling? No, love is actually showing kind to one another to help one another.”

Thirteen camps are being hosted across the country with about fifty-five youth volunteers from areas such as Spanish Lookout, Orange Walk, Corozal. These youths are trained by BCE before entering communities. Zurisadday Diaz, a youth volunteer, tells us about the feelings of fulfillment she gains from being part of these camps.

Zurisadday Diaz, Youth Leader

“I’m not gonna say it’s not tiring but I love doing it. It’s something that fills your energy back when you’re with the kids. It just gives you back the energy you need, and God just is always so faithful with us and we just, want to continue doing it.”

Britney Gordon

“Have there been any special moments that you’ve had so far doing these camps, is anything memorable to you?”

Zurisadday Diaz

“Well it would be the worship night where we have this worship night with the volunteers that are coming and how to see just how they give their lives to God and how they renew everything they have been having in their past and wanted to follow God’s way just that something that has really inspired me a lot seeing how they pray to God and ask for forgiveness, that’s something that I really really will remember a lot.”

At just fourteen years old, Hakeem Herrera is the youngest volunteer on the team. He says that this has been a learning experience for him just as much as it is for the children.

Hakeem Herrera, Youth Leader

“These kids obviously go through stuff, and it’s just good to show them love, it also helps me a lot personally because it just helps me grow closer to God seeing these kids receive love.”

Perez says the camp is an all-around experience with fun, food, and friendship but it’s the lessons learned through the bonding experiences that BCE hopes will remain with participants and youth volunteers into their adulthood.

Alexander Perez

“They have water games and arts and crafts and football and really targeting that our young people need to literally have a relationship and build a relationship with their kids and to have fun, right? But at the same time, to learn and apply what they have been learning through the camp.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

25 Years of Spreading the Love of Music

Schools are out and children all over Belize are finding unique ways to pass their time. Among the variety of summer camps and programs available for students to participate in, Carlos Perrotte’s Music Camp has been a constant source of music education and fun for students for over two decades. In this week’s episode of Belize on Reel, we sat down with the man that has inspired a love for music in children and adults for over twenty-five years.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

For those with a passion for music and the essence of Belizean culture that is expressed through song and sounds, the name Carlos Perrotte is a very familiar one. For the past two decades, the Cuban transplant has spread his love for music through musical projects such as Omolewa Osain. The name of the album which translates to Powerful Mind, is a unique blend of Jazz, Garifuna music and the West African roots of Cuba. He has also played a hand in the beloved Pan Yaad Festival for several years. However, it is through teaching that Perrotte has always been able to connect with youths and spark a fire for music that would transcend to adulthood.

Carlos Perrotte, Music Instructor

“I believe this is the most important thing, to teach children in an early age, like yourself, you can remember your time at Grace Primary. Give me the opportunity to meet them, and feel the love that they give you. Those children they have more love than the rest. It is easy for you to reach them, and then the early age is the most important part of life, for them to get knowledge. I believe you should treat them well from a younger age, then they will grow with a different attitude and with a different approach of life and that’s what I try to do in terms of music.”

Perrotte has been teaching music in Belize for over twenty-five years, but his love for melody began at a much earlier age. It is his belief that children should be given the opportunity to develop a love for music while it can still be nurtured.

Carlos Perrotte

“I started when I was six years old. Although my mom and my dad were engineers and doctors, I have a uncle who told me don’t worry about that, just play music But, we have a system that allows you to do that. In my country, with all the problems we have, we have a system that makes music education from the beginning, to the end. So I started when I was seven years old and then got my master’s degree in music with no stop. So from the beginning age I fell in love with music, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Perrotte’s students describe his classes as fun and energetic. Six-year-old Elijah Lorenzo tells us that he’s been coming to Perrotte’s class since he was four years old and plans to keep coming back.

Britney Gordon

“Are you having fun doing these classes? What do you feel when you play the instruments?”

Elijah Lorenzo, Student

“I feel great, I feel nice.”

Britney Gordon

“Do you really like music?”

Elijah Lorenzo

“Yea I do really.”

Britney Gordon

What do you like about music?”

Elijah Lorenzo

I like that it likes to make me dance and sing and do stuff.”

Perrotte’s love for music is also alive inside his home. His daughter, Ala Perrotte, says music has been a part of her life for as far back as she can remember.

Alma Perrotte, Perrotte’s Daughter

“I would say from I came out the womb I’ve been learning music because of my dad. And, but playing instruments I’ve, it’s been like, around, I would say fifteen to sixteen years since I’ve been playing music.”

Britney Gordon

“What would you say is something admirable about the way your father goes about teaching music?”

Alma Perrotte

“I think it’s because of how much love he has for music and he, and how much he wants to give the love that he has. And he wants to teach it to other students, especially young kids, because the young kids are the future of our country. So him spreading his love about music to other students so that they could be also in love with music is what I think lets him go on like that. And that’s why everyone likes the way, the way how he teach.”

Perrotte’s Camp focuses primarily on percussion instruments such as drums and xylophones. Lourdes Mora, a student at this year’s camp, says that her favorite instrument is the steel pan and she enjoys hearing herself improve after every lesson.

Lourdes Mora, Student

“I get to learn new stuff and I could remember it in my head, so the next day when I come I could remember it and do better from last year.”

Britney Gordon

“What’s your favourite part about making music?”

Lourdes Mora

“It’s cause I feel special. And what do you like most about Mister Carlos and his class?”

Lourdes Mora

“Because he is fun, about him, he lets us play music and once we ask a question. Like if I ask if I want play the drums, mister Carlos would let me play the drums.”

Perrotte plans to retire next year, but he does not believe that it will be the end of his time as an instructor. He says that once there is a passion for something, it does not simply go away.

Carlos Perrotte

“I say I will retire, but I didn’t say I would stop teaching. Teaching is something that when you passion, it’s hard to give up so easily. But I encourage others to bring up their talent and help others to build up their skill. It doesn’t have to be only me, so what I say, we have more camps now, but I don’t believe they have a camp like this. We focus in percussion instruments. The rest of the camps is a little bit of something. So I hope somebody else, comes on, we have more talent and they can do it too, I hope.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Children are Building Lasting Bonds This Summer

An annual summer camp organized by Doctor Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, a tenured professor in the United States, concludes on Friday. The past few days have seen children from across Lake Independence attend educational and recreational sessions at Swift Hall and Saint Martin de Porres School where they are learning very important life skills, including financial literacy. As part of this year’s program, the Belize Bank Limited joined forces with the program and spent the day with the young participants teaching them about financial responsibility. News Five’s Isani Cayetano stopped by and filed the following report.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Summer camps are melting pots of diversity. Children interact with peers from various backgrounds, cultures and communities. The exposure they receive helps them to develop essential social skills like communication, empathy and teamwork. They also learn the value of friendship, sharing and resolving conflicts amicably. Here at Summer Bond, a camp that has been established in the St. Martin’s area, kids are building positive relationships.

Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty, Organizer, Summer Bond

“We know that through social bonding, attachment, commitment, involvement and belief helps students to succeed. [It] helps all of us to succeed, no matter age, money, exposure. Once you take away all of those, the number one factor is bonding… and those four things, somebody being attached to social activities, engage in pro social activities, believing in the value of what they are working towards, and committed, being a member of something.”

Summer camps are transformative experiences that equip children with essential life skills, values, and lasting memories. Among them is financial literacy, the ability to understand and effectively use various skills, including personal financial management, budgeting and investing.

Denise Godfrey, Marketing Manager, Belize Bank Ltd.

“In our arts and craft session, we are teaching them about financial inclusion, the importance of money and then they get to draw what money means to them or what they would do should they come across or when they start working what they are going to do with their earnings, whether it’s building a house, furthering their education, they get to draw that out on paper.”

The annual recreation offers a wide range of activities. Children can explore new hobbies, discover hidden talents, and honing existing skills. These experiences teach perseverance and dedication. Nine- year-old Elon Gordon attends Ladyville Evangelical School, he is a participant at this year’s camp.

Elon Gordon, Participant

“I thought it was gonna be fun and I am gonna make lots of new friends and lots of new people and I was kind of waiting for school to open back.”

Isani Cayetano

“What have you learned so far?”

Elon Gordon

“Lots of things, some more about sports, service, gratitude and education.”

Isani Cayetano

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Elon Gordon

“I want to own my own business.”

With rising childhood obesity, physical activity is crucial. Summer camps provide ample opportunities for active play, sports, and adventure activities. This not only improves physical health, but also promotes mental well-being.

Michelle Murray-Gordon, Teacher, St. Martin de Porres

“I love this camp particularly because it caters to four aspects of the children’s development. They focus on art, education, service and gratitude and sports. My area where I assist is with service and gratitude, so the kids rotate for an hour in each session for the day, every day. And then we help to develop their skills and knowledge within the area. We try to do hands-on stuff, like yesterday they wrote to thank you notes to persons who are important to them, as well as help clean the perimeters of the compound and read to their peers. So they are very eager and receptive to the skills and that has pleased us greatly.”

So consider giving your child the gift of growth, discovery, and joy that only a summer camp can provide. Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Team Belize Ready for Central American Volleyball Championship

In just a few days, Belize will be facing off against opponents from across Central America during the U21 Women’s Volleyball Championship. The tournament will open on July sixteenth at the Belize City Civic Center where Belize will face off against Nicaragua. News Five’s Britney Gordon stopped by the Civic Center this morning to catch the team as it prepares for the upcoming game. Here’s more on that.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Team Belize is ready to win big at the U21 Women’s Volleyball Championship that kicks off next Tuesday. This year, Belize is hosting the tournament which will see teams from across the region compete for the coveted title. Belize’s first match will be against Nicaragua. We caught up with team captain, Gareth Bruce to hear how the team is feeling now that the day is almost here.

Gareth Bruce, Captain

“So like a week ago we did a U23 in Honduras and we we’re training morning and evening for that. And after we came back, and we did the same in preparation for this tournament.”

Britney Gordon

“And how are you guys feeling as the game approaches?”

Gareth Bruce

“We’re nervous and excited because we’re playing against our home crowd. I feel like all of us are well prepared, we’re well developed and experienced since our past tournaments.”

At just fourteen-years-old, Sara Safa is the youngest on the team. Being surrounded by players more experienced than her motivates her game.

Britney Gordon

“So you’re one of the youngest players on this team. How does it feel to be representing your country on such an international level so young?”

Sarah Safa, Setter

“It feels pretty good. I love working with the older girls because they have a lot more experience than I do so they can always help me out and give me tips. So it’s a really blessing and it feels really good.”

Despite her young age, Safa is confident that she and her team will do well in the approaching games.

Sara Safa

“I am feeling well prepared to go out and cheer on my team and do what I have to do and I know my team is really prepared as well.”

Britney Gordon

“What’s an important piece of advice that you’re taking into mind as the games approaches to help you stay motivated and encouraged?”

Sara Safa

“Well, I just like to keep in mind that since I’m one of the youngest, that means I’ve worked really hard to get to this point. So I just have to keep that in mind that this is a, this is like an opportunity, like a once in a lifetime opportunity for a person this young.”

With just five days left until Belize’s first match, Jevia Leslie is eager to get on the court and play against her opponents.

Jevia Leslie, Middle Blocker

“I’m pretty excited. I’ve been waiting for this tournament since like probably March or earlier because We’ve been notified that they’ll be having another home game. So I’ve been really pretty excited same as my team. I’m feeling pretty confident. I’m ready to, I don’t want to say get this over with, but I’m actually pretty excited and I want to play the game. I’m anxious to do it because, I’ve been waiting for some time. All right, that’s good.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Belize Vs Bermuda Friendly Match Inside F.F.B. Stadium on Thursday Night

Belize’s Senior Women’s National Football Team is set to face off against Bermuda on Thursday night inside the F.F.B. Stadium. The friendly match kicks off at seven p.m. The team has been in camp for the past three weeks preparing for the match. They are inviting fans out to the game to watch them perform and possibly win. Today, we spoke with the coach and a couple of players.

Wayne Casimiro, Head Coach, National Senior Women’s Football Team

“We have been doing the best we can given the time frame we have to work with and getting our style of play in proper order. I think the team looks fairly ok. WE are basically there and prepared to play a good match between Bermuda given we have not been together for a while. Bu for the time we spent in camp, two weeks prior and now in this position, I think we are really getting back to where we were from the last time.”

Shamika Lambey, National Team Athlete

“Us being in camp, it helps us build our momentum and chemistry, because most of us are from different clubs so we don’t have that much chemistry with each other. We have been playing with each other in the last national team on the road to Gold Cup. So us being in camp helps us to develop more and gets us to see where we fall short, whether it is attacking or defending. So the more we come together in camp the more we develop.”

Roshanny Narvaez, National Team Athlete

“We have been practicing three weeks so our mentality is very positive. In my case it is very positive. I know we can do great out there and with the fans showing up that can motivate us even better to showcase our talent and just play our game and have fun.”

Connecting Belizean Women to Their African Heritage

The 2024 Miss African Queen Pageant is just a few days away and this year six contestants are making their final preparations for the big day. The annual event is meant to bring Belizean women closer to their African roots by allowing them to embrace the physical traits linking them to the continent and highlights aspects of various cultures through clothing and dance. In this week’s episode of Kolcha Tuesday, we explore the cultural ties between Belizeans and their African heritage.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

For many Belizeans, the word Creole can refer to several aspects of one’s identity. It may be the language, or a signifier of one’s skin color among the mixture of races and ethnicities found in the country. No matter how it is used, the origin of the word refers to those who were born in a country that is not their parents’ homeland. This is the legacy of the slaves that were brought to the Caribbean from West Africa. And this is the heritage that the Miss African Queen Pageant seeks to highlight every year. Maryam Abdul-Qawiyy, spokesperson for the Miss African Queen Contest, tells us more.

Maryam Abdul-Qawiyy, Spokesperson, Miss African Queen Contest

“Being here in Belize, we are a melting pot of cultures of Creole, Garifuna, Maya, Mestizo, and we also have our Mennonites as well and our diplomats and people who come to live here from all over the world. We love all our cultures, but the main four Belizean cultures that are here are black and brown people and this pageant came about for especially the Creole to celebrate their heritage and the creole people are a part of the African diaspora. These were people who were enslaved so it’s about recognizing self where you’re from that’s why it’s called miss African queen because all black peoples are coming from the continent of Africa.”

According to Abdul-Qawiyy, the contest was created to fill a gap in pageantry and celebrate women who break away from Euro-centric beauty standards. Leah James, a contestant representing The Gambia, says that she entered this year’s competition so that her young daughters appreciate African beauty and be reminded of their heritage. We ask what it means for her as a black Belizean woman to represent this part of history.

Leah James, Contestant

“I’m going to be very honest with that. If you had asked me that six, seven years ago, I would not be able to give an answer that would really resonate with my heart. But after having my first child. Her having her curl here all those coils all of that that is what made me realize that you know what? Despite my skin color I might be lighter than others but it’s still in me and I need to be proud of it not only for myself but for her because she needs to feel proud of herself she needs to feel like that pride because they’re girls they’re gonna look up to somebody they need someone to look up to so I’m ensuring that My pride shows true that they can see that okay you have someone to look up to.”

To connect with her costume, James decided to create elements of it by hand, such as her headpiece and parts of her dress. We caught up with fellow contestant, Hypolita Usher, who will be representing Uganda, as she was gathering the finishing elements for her attire. Uganda is a landlocked country located in East Africa, famous for its biodiversity and being the source of the Nile River. Uganda is also known for its relatively high birth rate, displaying on average four point five eight children per woman. Usher explains that the reason she chose to embody Uganda is because she could see herself represented among the features of the women of that nation.

Hypolita Usher, Contestant

“It was really hard choosing Uganda for the simple fact that all the countries I’ve read up on, they have so much to offer. However, what stuck with me with them was that, if Africa on a whole, they love full figured women, but Uganda specifically, there’s a tribe living in the woods who prefer it, who groom their children to be thicker women, and they are listed as the tallest people in the world. So I said, look at that, I’m full figured, I’m tall. So that’s what made me really go with Uganda.”

The goal of the pageant is to bridge the gap between the African continent and Belize. Abdul-Qawiyy, a former Miss African Queen herself, acknowledges the similarities between Egyptian and Belizean dance. By participating, every contestant leaves with a stronger connection to their chosen country.

Maryam Abdul-Qawiyy

“One of our contestants this year, she’s representing Sierra Leone and she found that in Sierra Leone, there’s a similar name that we have here in Belize for one of our towns, the exact name. And not only that, but they also speak Creole. I don’t want to give away too much, but she will be explaining more in her different statements and her intro and all the delegates have found similarities between Belize and these African nations. And that’s what it’s all about, is to find these similarities, to recognize that our culture and our heritage is worldwide, and that it’s important for reeducation of self.”

The African ancestry that ties Belize to the rest of the Caribbean may not be at the forefront of the mind of Belizeans, but it is something that flows within their veins. It can be seen in the fishing and agricultural communities, finding resourceful ways to survive. It can be heard in the language and music that connects people of various ages, and it is felt in the community that comes together to celebrate what it means to call themselves Belizeans. Britney Gordon for News Five.

A Preview of KTV the Remix Episode 2

Tonight at the Bliss, two contestants in this season of K.T.V. The Remix are going home, another guest judge will also be joining Andazzi and Tremett to critique this week’s performances. It all goes down live at eight p.m. and for a look at what you, our faithful viewers, can expect, we turn to production assistant Monilee Aspinall for a preview of tonight’s show.

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