Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. Belize continues to shine regionally in volleyball. The country’s Under-Seventeen National Women’s Volleyball Team put on a medal winning display in the Inaugural Under-Seventeen Women’s Central American Volleyball Championship.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The tournament was held from the twenty-fourth to the twenty-eight of September in Managua, Nicaragua. Team Belize is returning home with a hard-earned bronze medal. The bronze medal match was against El Salvador on Saturday night. Team Belize defeated El Salvador in three sets. They held them to eight points in the second set. Over the course of the tournament team Belize also defeated Guatemala and Honduras. They lost to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, the top two teams in the tournament. Their medal winning run did not stop at the bronze medal. The Under-Seventeen National Women’s Volleyball Team also swept up six of the twelve total individual awards. Akili Jones received Best Server, Best Scorer and second-Best Attacker. Dasialynn Thurton received Best Libero and Best Defender. Emaun Marin received the Best Attacker Award. We say congratulations to the under-seventeen women’s volleyball team.
And, while most people were still sleeping at five-thirty on Saturday morning, a group of competitive long-distance runners were out in the pouring rain for the Belize City Council’s half marathon. This is the run’s fourth year, and it sees the participation of half marathon, 10 K and 5 k runners. A total of twenty-one runners competed in the half marathon category, five women and sixteen men. They stood at the starting line as the rain began pouring. Five minutes later, they were still standing there as the rain grew increasingly stronger. At the peak of the downpour, the horn went off and the runners got on their way. The 10 K run got going under less taxing conditions. A total of twenty-three runners competed in this category. That included twelve men and eleven women.
In the 5K category, twenty-three runners competed, nine women and fourteen men. Twenty minutes and thirty-nine seconds later Eyon Anderson crossed the finish line as the 5k champions. He was followed closely by Shanir Thompson in second place with twenty-one minutes and eight seconds. Jonathon Chiquin finished the 5K run in third place with twenty-one, fourteen. Here comes Christopher Broaster with a strong first place finish in the 10 K run. He finished in forty-three minutes and fifty seconds. Kliuvert Cal finished the10K in second place with a close forty-four minute and seven seconds. Right behind him, Kenroy Westby came sprinting and crossed the finish line two seconds after. Broaster laid out on the pavement in agony after the race, a testament to the toll a 10 K run takes on the body. One hour and twelve minutes after the start of the half marathon race, Leon O’Brien turned the curve into Marion Jone Sporting Complex solo and in first place.
Just over four minutes later, Francisco Lima Caal finished the half marathon in second place. Defending Champion, Albert Davis finished in third place, three minutes slower than his 2023 performance. Special mention goes out to Jesus Contreras, who secured fourth place in the half marathon. Even though he did not make it into the top three, he won the hearts of everyone at the event after he got down on one knew during the award ceremony and proposed to his now fiancé. What an incredible moment to witness.
Now, let’s get into some basketball action. The Inter-office basketball league has officially concluded its regular season and is now moving into the 2024 playoffs. The Belize Coast Guard and the BACC Airport teams are advancing into the playoffs as the Division A number one and number two seeds respectively. Tuff E Nuff and BCC are advancing into the playoffs as the Division B number one and number two seeds respectively. IBL ended its regular season with an All-Star night on Friday inside the Belize City Civic Center. The Nando’s Slam Dunk Champion went to Lindsay Young of Transparent BPO. Douglas Valley from Tuff E Nuff was declared the 2024 Cellular World Three-Point Champion. Xylon Belgrove won the 2024 Recinos Imports Skills Challenge. From the all-star match, Keon Rowland was declared the All-Star MVP. The IBL play-in round begins on Thursday night with two matches.
And finally, for tonight, one of our faithful viewers sent us a very old newspaper clipping of what could very well be Belize’s first individual gold medalist. It says it right there in the headline. This is an image of five Belizean athletes from 1965 who went to compete in the 1965 Central American Weightlifting Tournament. Depicted in the image are Lincoln McKesey who won a gold medal in the middleweight category, Frank Hoare who won a gold medal in the heavyweight category, Cameron Pollard who won a silver medal in the welterweight category and Anthony Samuels who won a bronze medal in the bantamweight category. The fifth individual is Robert Mitchell, their manager. That’s a little piece of history for you. Well folks that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
A five-page letter addressed to Prime Minister John Briceño shares concerns about the government’s plans for Stake Bank Enterprises. The letter was sent by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) and says that the acquisition is ‘in no way for public purpose.’ The NTUCB criticised the government, saying that it prioritised international investors over Belizean interests and urged resolution through the courts.
The NTUCB suggested that if the government proceeds with the project, it should use the Land Acquisition (Promoters) Act (LAPA), which they believe is more appropriate than the Land Acquisition (Public Purposes) Act. They noted that LAPA “provides for the acquisition of private land by a promoter or developer after an inquiry which shows… the purpose for which the land is required… is likely to prove useful to the public.”
PM Briceño responded to the NTUCB, saying that the project’s public interest and economic necessity, particularly in revitalising cruise tourism. Briceño stated that the completion of the Stake Bank Project represents nearly 4% of GDP, therefore initiating the compulsory acquisition process while ensuring taxpayer protection through a comprehensive indemnity.
In response, the Feinstein Group labelled Briceño’s statements as “gross inaccuracies and misinformation.” At the People’s United Party 74th Anniversary, Briceño said, “I’m not surprised by the response of the Feinstein Group, but I’m not going to go back and forth to them. We have responded to the NTUCB. We firmly believe that what we’re doing is in the best interest of this country.”
Regarding LAPA, the Briceño remarked, “The two parties have to agree, and right now, there’s no agreement,” calling the promoter’s demands “unreasonable.” He stated that compulsory acquisition is the only viable option, which may involve negotiations and court intervention.
Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca addressed the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City on Saturday. Minister Fonseca touched on several global issues, including the Israel-Hamas war.
“In our region. Mr. President Belize rejects the continued denial of self-determination of the Palestinian people and calls for the eradication of the system of colonial domination and apartheid being imposed upon them, as Belize stated to the International Court of Justice.”
Minister Fonseca added, “In the recent advisory opinion, Israel cannot be permitted to continue flouting one of the most fundamental principles of international law with impunity.”
He said, “Impunity breeds inhumanity. Just two weeks ago, this assembly approved a resolution. proposed by Palestine affirming the ICJ’s advisory opinion and called on members to act to reinforce the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. The war, the oppression, and the inhumanity must end.”
In November 2023, Belize severed diplomatic ties with Israel. Belize also withdrew its approval for Einat Kranz-Neiger to serve as Israel’s Ambassador to Belize. All operations of the Israeli Honorary Consulate in Belize and the appointment of its Honorary Consul were suspended. Belize also suspended its Honorary Consulate in Tel Aviv.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) commemorated its 51st anniversary with a celebration, marking over five decades of resilience, service, and growth. The event brought together party supporters to reflect on the UDP’s legacy and its contributions to Belize’s development.
The party’s leader, Moses Barrow, said, “The UDP has won the most General Elections in post Independence and we have done the most to develop Belize!…Belize has always been better served by UDP Governments.”
In a press release, the UDP paid tribute to the party’s founding leaders, including Philip Goldson of the National Independence Party (NIP), Dean Lindo of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Sir Manuel Esquivel of the Liberal Party, and former Prime Minister Dean Barrow of the UDP.
“We have within us the power to form the next Government of Belize once we stay focused and engaged with the people we want to serve! We shall continue to work hand in hand to strengthen and protect the Institution of the UDP so that the Party can elect many more Governments to develop Belize.”
The Office of the Prime Minister announces that Prime Minister John Briceño has departed for Mexico City to attend the historic presidential inauguration of President-Elect Dra. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Mexico’s first female elected president.
In a statement, Prime Minister Briceño said, “It’s a history making presidential inauguration for Mexico. Our delegation is visiting our northen neighbor to mark the official installation of the first female elected President of Mexico H. E. Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum. I was received at the presidential hangar by the new Secretary of Infrastructure, Communication and Transportation Jesus Antonio Medina.”
The Prime Minister is expected to return on October 3, 2024. During his absence, Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining, will serve as Acting Prime Minister.
On Saturday, September 28, officers responded to a robbery report at Berry Street, Belize City. Rene Myvette and his assistant were approached by two armed men on bicycles. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Hilberto Romero stated that the assailants stole an cash and cell phones. There is no surveillance footage available. Police are looking for two suspects.
In a separate case, police are looking into a reported rape that occurred on Sunday, September 29, 2024. According to ACP Romero, the assault took place in Rancho Dolores Village in the Belize district. A woman reported that a suspect entered her bedroom and raped her. Authorities have one suspect in custody as the investigation continues.
A police officer accused of assaulting Shaun Gill appeared in court this morning. According to police reports, Gill was driving with officer Tyra Smith when the accused, Luis Pascasio, reportedly Smith’s ex-boyfriend, attempted to intercept them in a black Dodge Charger.
Upon reaching Orange Street, the officer, who is a member of the Special Patrol Unit, allegedly blocked their path, exited his vehicle, brandished a firearm, and assaulted Gill.
Today, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero told reporters that Pascasio has been arrested and formally charged with aggravated assault.
The People’s United Party (PUP) gathered as a National Party Council at the St. Catherine Academy auditorium in Belize City to celebrate its 74th anniversary.
The event formally introduced the party’s 31 candidates.
Deputy Party Leader Cordel Hyde reflected on the party’s history and the resilience of past leaders. Hyde recounted the difficulties faced during the 2020 elections, stating, “When we won, we realised that something was wrong. We realised that we walked into the greatest trap ever, the worst of times ever. We were in the middle of COVID; 60,000 people were unemployed. 60,000 more were underemployed. The Government of Belize had to be borrowing a million dollars a day just to pay the salaries of teachers and public officers. The IMF came and insisted on the Prime Minister to fire 3,000 teachers and public officers and raise GST to 19%. These were the absolute worst of times. We could have turned over and played dead, throw up our hands, but that’s not us. This is the People’s United Party.” Hyde added the party’s biggest accomplishments under Briceño’s leadership, including opening borders, renegotiating loans, raising the minimum wage, and expanding the National Health Insurance program.
Following Hyde’s address, the Party Leader and Prime Minister John Briceño emphasised unity and the party’s dedication to serving the people. “74 years is not just a measure of time; it is the formation of the DNA of our party. It is seven decades of struggle, progress, and triumph,” said Briceño . He contrasted the party’s achievements with the ’13 years of corruption’ under the Barrow administration, saying, “What the UDP destoyed in 13 years of corruption, imcompetence, maliciousness, and spitefulness, we, the People’s United Party, have rebuilt in four years.” He added, “Today, I am grateful for the 31 of our leaders whose work has kept our party strong and have been helping us to buil d back Belize.”
The World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards took place in Belize on Saturday night. It celebrated top global sustainability efforts in tourism and honoured leaders dedicated to net-positive practices.
The event coincided with World Tourism Day.
21 winners across various segments of sustainable travel, from community projects to international hotel brands, were recognised.
Green Initiative, known for its restoration efforts in Costa Rica, Peru, and Brazil, was named ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Organisation,’ while Soneva won ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Energy Efficiency Initiative’ for its environmental work in the Maldives.
Mandarin Oriental secured three awards, including ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Development,’ ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Employer,’ and ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Supply Chain Programme.’ Other notable winners included Rainforest Expeditions, which earned ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Conservation & Biodiversity Programme’ for discovering 30 new species in the Peruvian Amazon, and ibis RockCorps, recognised for ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Partnership’ due to its volunteer-driven initiatives in France.
In individual awards, Agnes Pierce, Global Head of Sustainability at Amadeus, was named ‘World’s Leading Sustainability Leader,’ and Andy De Silva, CEO of Hotel Emporium, received the ‘World’s Leading Sustainability Leader of Tomorrow’ title.
Belize was honoured as the ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Destination,’ reflecting its commitment to responsible tourism. Local initiatives like Che’il Mayan Chocolate and the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association were recognised for their contributions to cultural heritage and marine conservation.
Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President of the awards, noted: “The winners exemplify the innovation and positive impact driving the travel industry towards a sustainable future.”
Belize’s Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler, echoed this sentiment, saying the awards reflect Belize’s dedication to sustainability.
Senator Erica Jang participated in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Advanced Parliamentary Development Residency Programme in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from September 22-28, 2024. She joined parliamentarians and staff from across the Commonwealth for this immersive training program focused on enhancing legislative, advocacy, and scrutiny skills.
The CPA Parliamentary Academy, established in 2021, has welcomed participation from Belize’s Parliament since its inception. Over the five-day residency, participants engaged in ten interactive sessions, guided by experienced mentors. They practiced legislating, scrutinising, and advocating around a central issue daily, both in the parliamentary chamber and community settings.
The program equipped participants with valuable skills, including:
Understanding effective parliamentarism in the 21st century;
Mastering the legislative process;
Strengthening communication and influence skills;
Enhancing scrutiny and oversight abilities;
Fostering stakeholder engagement and
Improving research and planning capabilities.
Senator Jang’s participation was supported by the CPA.
