Children take part in Sports camp
Besides swimming classes, art lessons and summer school for those needing an extra academic boost, this summer vacation many of Belize’s children are taking their time off to learn something new or strengthen their skills. Today News Five was invited out to the MCC grounds where some youngsters were learning about more than just kicking around a football.
There were about fifty youths between the ages of eight and sixteen who converged on the MCC grounds for a game of football this morning. The sport is just one of the seven being offered by the National Sports Council summer camp. It is intended to give children something to do during their long summer break so they don’t get bored or into trouble.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
“If you weren’t attending this camp what would you be doing home?”
Karime Smith, 14 years old
“I would have been watching T.V, standing on the street.”
Matthew Flowers, 15 years old
“Watch T.V and, and nothing.”
Evan “Duck” Garnett, Director, National Sports Council
“This right here is a chance for the parents to know that my kid between nine and eleven is at some sporting venue. At least I can keep abreast to where they are, as opposed to not have nothing informative to do.”
According to Evan “Duck” Garnett, the Director of the National Sports Council, the camp is offering more than just something to do. It is equipping the children with skills that help will them in their development.
Evan “Duck” Garnett
“We just hope they gain a sense of discipline that they have to be here at nine in the morning, we start at nine. They have a well rounded instructor that keeps the time and the drills up to par.”
The youths are also trying their hands– and feet–at karate, basketball, track and field, softball and boxing. The camps this Friday.
Similar sports camps will be held in the rural areas later this summer. While the budding athletes at home are learning the basics, Belize’s under-17 basketball selection is going for gold at the Junior CARICOM games in Guyana. After winning their first two games over Barbados and Cayman, they were defeated by the Bahamas last night, 65 to 42. Tomorrow they go up against winless Surinam and Win or loose they will go forwards into the medal round.
