Orange Walk girl stars in football

There has not been a whole lot of good news coming out of our national football selection, which is rapidly gaining a reputation as the doormat of Central America. But looking at the kids just starting out in the game, there is reason for hope. The following story, which comes courtesy of Channel 3 in Orange Walk, spotlights a young player who may one day compete with the big boys.

Manuela Ayuso, Reporting

Football has always been a male dominated sport in Belize. But Orangewalkeños are seeing the beginning of something new. The Orange Walk Sports Council and Estereo Tu y Yo has put together a football tournament called ?mundialito?, which in a way mimics the World Cup with each team bearing the name of a different country. There are seven under-thirteen teams participating, but amongst all of those boys, three girls joined in the ranks of their competitive hard playing male counterparts. One name that stands out in this competition though, it Karen Garcia.

Twelve-year-old Karen comes from a family of four girls all playing football already. With key plays in the goal, this forward has helped Briceño Brother?s Mexico enter the playoffs. Manager Ted Peralta explains the strategy.

Ted Peralta, Manager, Mexico Team

?Karen has very good ball tactics and she is very good at football. She can dribble anybody in front of the goal and out of the goal, so we decided to use Karen. One of the players that play along with Karen, Alver Burke, they are two good players and they understand one another, so we decided that we had to stay with Karen. Everybody tells us to stay with Karen, so we did and she?s doing good.?

?I think that the other girls right now, especially the high school students and younger girls that are coming up, they should come and see this young lady play football and they would appreciate what is football. I would appeal to all the parents that don?t want their girls to play football, they should come and see Karen play and they would enjoy the game. In fact, ask anybody, they get their money?s worth when they see Mexico play and any other team because Karen gives them their money?s worth.?

Teammate Elijio Briceño also comments on Karen?s performance.

Elijio Briceño, Midfielder

?I?ve been playing with her since Standard Four. She was in my class, the football team for the class and from Standard Four, Five and Six. She loves to rush and she loves to dribble. She actually scores most of the goals and passes them to Alver Burke.?

Manuela Ayuso

?Do you thinks she?s a very good players??

Elijio Briceño

?Yes. She?s a very good player for the team. She helps the team to score the goals or passes to Alver Burke.?

Karen Garcia, Forward

?I started playing football when I was seven years old in Standard One. I began playing at the school close to my house with my friends. Then I joined the football team of the La Immaculada School. I went into the female school team, then one of my friends told me that there was going to be ?mundialito?, so I decided to go in.?

?I practice everyday, so that I can get fit playing football. When we have a competition, I try very hard to get as many goals as I can for my team, so that they can win.?

For CTV3, Manuela Ayuso.

Again, that story comes courtesy of Channel 3 in Orange Walk.