Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. We begin tonight’s coverage with a look at some highlights from this weekend’s Anthony Mahler Under-Thirteen Mundialito matchups.
First up is the match between Samspon/Brown and Belize United. Belize United are playing in the black and white jerseys and Sampson/Brown are in red and white.
One minute into this one, a kick from Shae Gordon towards the goal bounced off the post and went out of bounds. Number nineteen for Belize United got past two defenders and sent the ball into the goal area, but no one was there to follow the play. Sampson’s defensive strategy on this day proved too much for the defending champions. And right before the end of the first period, Sampson had a good look at the goal, but they were not able to fully execute. Shae Gordon with another attempt towards but the ball was deflected by the goalkeeper’s foot. That match ended with no goals scored on either side.
The second match of the day saw Royal Fusion’s female team take on Phoenix FC’s female team. Two minutes into this one and it is Royal Fusion’s Amina Burgess with the first goal of the match. Amina Burgess again at the eighteenth minute with a spot kick that led to an own goal. Four minutes later Jacelyn Zuniga sent the ball flying over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net. A good effort by the goalkeeper to try and stop that one. The match ended four goals to zero in favor of Royal Fusion.
And finally, Burger United overcame Ladyville Rising Stars three goals to zero. The first goal was scored six minutes into the match by Breylin Middleton with a header off a corner kick. And only four minutes later, a beautiful pass in front of the goal to Camron Brown converted into goal two for Berger United. The third goal was scored by Breylin Middleton just before the end of the third and final period.
In other football news, Saint Jude Roman Catholic School in Camalote Village won the 2024 National Football Primary School Championship. On Friday, they went up against Our Lady of the Way RC from Ladyville for the title. Saint Jude RC won that match one goal to zero.
The Most Valuable Player Award went to Ethan Vargas. Additionally, Holy Ghost Roman Catholic School from Dangriga won the Female National Primary School Football Championship. Shanalle Smith received the MVP trophy. We say congratulations to all the winners and the teams that participated in the tournament.
From football we move into some softball action. The Belize Rural Softball Fast Pitch Tournament is currently underway.
We were in Burrell Boom Village on Saturday night where three games were played, one female match and two male matches. In the female competition, Double Head Unity went up against Burrell Boom Boomers.
If ever there was a perfect definition for a blowout match, this would be it. Double Head Unity was first up to bat. They made ten runs in the first inning of the game. Back-to-back, runners were able to steal bases. In many cases, runners made it home with little to no hesitation. This homerun hit from Reana Stephenson led to an additional two runs.
The second inning was much of the same. Unity scored seven additional runs in that inning and five more in the second inning. Declaring the mercy rule, the umpire called off the game in the third inning. Double Head Unity won the match twenty-two runs to zero.
Well Folks that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
The Office of the Governor-General has announced that six Belizeans will be honoured in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list. This prestigious list recognises the achievements and service of individuals from various sectors across Belize. The honorees are:
Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.)
Mrs. Felicita Cantun: For Outstanding Contribution to Culture
Ms. Beverly Ann Louise Wade: For Contribution to the Environment
Commander of the British Empire (C.B.E.)
Mr. Raymond Kearney: For Contributions to Business
Member of the British Empire (M.B.E.)
Mr. Mark Anthony Chavaria: For Contribution to Sports
Mr. Howell Austin Gillett: For Service to the Community
Mr. Robert Amadeo Mariano: For Service to the Community
These honours celebrate the dedication and impact of these individuals in their respective fields, reflecting the diverse contributions of Belizeans to the nation’s progress and well-being.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disbanded his six-member war cabinet, a move widely anticipated following the departure of centrist opposition leader Benny Gantz and his ally Gadi Eisenkot.
Decisions regarding the conflict with Hamas in Gaza will now be made by the existing security cabinet and the larger full cabinet. Eight days ago, Gantz resigned, citing a lack of strategy for the war, prompting calls from far-right ministers to replace him.
By dissolving the war cabinet, Netanyahu sidesteps a potentially contentious situation with coalition partners and international allies. An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson clarified that the dissolution would not impact the chain of command.
Gantz and Eisenkot had joined Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition shortly after the war began in October, but both resigned on June 9, criticising Netanyahu’s leadership as obstructive to achieving true victory. Immediately after their resignations, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded inclusion in the war cabinet, but Netanyahu opted to dissolve the body instead of expanding it with new members.
As tensions persist, particularly along the Israel-Lebanon border, efforts to de-escalate and establish a ceasefire in Gaza remain uncertain, with international diplomatic interventions ongoing to mitigate the risk of wider conflict.
As part of the year-long celebration of the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) 50th anniversary, rum producers across the region are set to present specially curated 50th Anniversary Rum Blends to CARICOM governments. These contributions from the rum industry will mark the culmination of a year-long celebration of CARICOM’s 50th anniversary. Producers from all rum-producing CARICOM Member States, a total of thirteen, which are also members of the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA), will showcase their products to national governments during the month of June. The thirteen distilleries involved include:
Mount Gay Distilleries (Barbados)
Demerara Distillers (Guyana)
Suriname Alcoholic Beverages (Suriname)
Angostura (Trinidad and Tobago)
West Indies Rum Distillery (Barbados)
Saint Lucia Distillers (Saint Lucia)
Belfast Estate – Dominica (Dominica)
Antigua Distillery (Antigua)
Grenada Distillers (Grenada)
Travellers Liquors (Belize)
Watlings Distillery (Bahamas)
National Rums of Jamaica (Jamaica)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Distillers (St. Vincent and the Grenadines)123.
The products being showcased by regional rum producers will be distributed to CARICOM Member States, with some products available for sale in local markets. Several of the special edition rums are unique blends that will only be available for this purpose and in very limited quantities.
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division, told reporters today that several persons are detained in relation to the shooting of thirty-one-year-old Austin Underwood and Doris Grant.
A.C.P. Romero said investigators believe the motive is gang-related. “We are following up on several leads…”
Both victims were treated and released.
The incident happened on Sunday, June 16th. According to police, the victims were returning from an event at approximately 3:10 a.m. When they passed the Fairweather bridge, someone emerged from the alley connecting Fairweather and West Collet Canal and fired multiple gunshots towards them, injuring them. They drove to the hospital for medical attention.
The Board of Trustees of the University of Belize (UB) today announced that Dr. Luz Longsworth is the new Vice Chairperson.
Dr. Longsworth was elected at a meeting held on 13th June 2024.
Dr. Longsworth holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (Higher Education Management) from the University of Bath, UK, and currently serves as the Senior Corporate Director of Sandals Corporate University.
Godfrey Smith, Chairman of UB’s Board of Trustees, stated, “Dr. Longsworth’s extensive experience as a former Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Affairs at the University of the West Indies and former Principal of UWI’s Open Campus equips her to make a significant contribution to UB’s development. We are excited to have her on board.”
Dr. Longsworth expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “I am excited and honored to join the Board of Belize’s national university. I look forward to working with the team and contributing to UB’s institutional development.”
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing explained that damage to the Coastal Plains Highway was caused by a 3.0m x 1.5m box culvert that was overtopped due to backwater from Soldier Creek, approximately 180m away.
In a press release, the ministry said that this backwater resulted from a blockage in the creek and deforestation caused by recent wildfires, which expanded the catchment areas around the culvert.
“The Road Maintenance Unit of the MIDH, along with the contractor, has been mobilised to execute clean-up and minor restoration works on the pavement. In addition, the MIDH is conducting further assessment of the area to determine any additional contributing factors that forced run-off away from the intended Soldier Creek.”
According to the ministry, this suggests that the culvert’s overtopping and subsequent pavement erosion were due to the unexpected intensity of rainfall and flash flooding, along with debris overwhelming the culvert’s capacity.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education announced the “suspension of classes for all levels in the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts for today, 17th June 2024. This suspension is necessary due to excessive rainfall, which has impacted both districts since early this morning.”
