SMART Stars Football Camp Concludes
SMART Stars Football Camp concluded its twelfth annual summer camp held this week at the newly inaugurated Berger Field in Belize City. About fifty kids from across the city participated and learned the fundamentals of the sport. Often times, these young players are also engaged in the mundialito football tournament. News Five’s Duane Moody attended the certificate ceremony today and files this report.
Duane Moody, Reporting
They received their certificates of completion with pride today – some in the presence of their parents – for successfully participating in the 2023 SMART Stars Football Camp. The five-day camp began on Monday and saw approximately fifty young boys and girls engaged in the fundamentals of the sport.
Adelaide Sabido
Adelaide Sabido, Marketing Supervisor, SMART
“Had it not been for COVID, two years not having the camp, this would have been our fourteenth. And so we take great pride and great honor to be the telecom company in Belize that has been consistent with sponsoring towards sports initiative on a whole in Belize, but for having this football camp on an annual basis.”
Some of the participants have been in the program for years and then there are those for whom it is their first experience learning the techniques of the sport.
Jaydon Leslie
Jaydon Leslie, 11-year-old Participant
“I love to play on the field cause so much ball is around and I love to play football.”
Duane Moody
“How long have you been playing?”
Jaydon Leslie
“Since I was two years young.”
Duane Moody
“What have you learn over this week?”
Jaydon Leslie
“Juggling, passing and play.”
Chelsea Bermudez
Chelsea Bermudez, 9-year-old Participant
“Sir that dah just like my best sport. When I does younger and I does see my bredda always go play, I does want go play. So I jsut start to play it.”
Duane Moody
“You play good?”
Chelsea Bermudez
“Lee bit kinda.”
For Daniel Broaster, football is a passion of his. He has been playing from the age of four and has the support of his mother. Argentine professional footballer Lionel Messi, is his role model.
Daniel Broaster
Daniel Broaster, Participant
“I was playing football from I was four. My mom encourage me cause I did not like football until I started to watch football games and do so.”
Duane Moody
“Let’s talk about what you’ve learned over the week?”
Daniel Broaster
“I’ve learned to pass and don’t greedy the ball. I have learnt to shoot and dribbling and I have learned to make friends.”
Duane Moody
“Who dah you football athlete that you idolize?”
Daniel Broaster
“Messi.”
There are many football athletes who began by participating in this camp at a younger age and improving over the years to represent the country on national teams. SMART’s Marketing Supervisor Adelaide Sabido says that the camp is a foundation for children to dream big. SMART is planning to expand the football program to include Orange Walk.
Adelaide Sabido
“I did recognise that I had to sign some certificates yesterday and some of the names I remember signing certificates for them last year and before COVID. So I know they have been with the camp for some time. There is good news for the folks in Orange Walk this year. We signed on last week to an agreement with a coach in Orange Walk that has the football academy there. It is not a camp that we will be doing with him, but he has training sessions, just like Mister Reneau in Belize City, every Saturday. We will be sharing that information on our social media platforms by the end of the day or early next week so that people can sign up to his Saturday trainings.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
