Developing the Sport of Cycling
According to cyclist, Tariq Cano, there is much work needed to be done in order to develop the sports of cycling in Belize. He says that local cyclists are not given enough opportunities to compete in international competition. Cano says that a group of athletes has identified several international events at which local cyclists can participate.
Tariq Cano, Cyclist
“We have a calendar of races coming up and the nearest one in Merida on the twelfth of May where we would be taking a selection of Belizeans to go and race. We are also eyeing a group of races in Central America in the capacity of taking athletes to Guatemala for the junior and also for the female category and also in Nicaragua as well later in the year. We really want to get the public aware of what is happening because we need the support of Belizeans to let our Belizean riders to reach the next level. Also we are not receiving much support in terms of international racing by our governing body so this initiate is being done and stuff by a group of members that we have assembled. As a governing body if you really, really are interested it shouldn’t taka an outsider to do your job.”
Tariq Cano
Hipolito Novelo
“You’ve been in cycling for a few years now, what would you say is the core problem with the cycling here in Belize?”
Tariq Cano
“The main problem I believe, it comes down to many one things. Like Kaya said, you can’t put it all down on the federation itself in terms of development. A part is for the managers to blame as well for different teams. They’re one side and one tracked minded in terms of cross country, and we put all our efforts and mind into preparing for a race and don’t even prepare properly. To race at a high level you need to be racing at an international level. A part of that comes from the federation as well as helping the riders to race outside but a part of it comes from, maybe managers have the money teams such as B.T.L. They have the money to go to international races; they should have been doing that.”
