Should foreigners ride? Viewers answer in online poll
Turning to Tuesday’s question; in past years, foreign riders have been taking away the coveted title of Cross Country Champ and the prestigious garland of the nation’s biggest sporting event. The last time a Belizean wore the garland was back in 2006 when Shane Vasquez made the sprint to the finishing line. So on Tuesday we asked: Do you think it is beneficial for foreign riders to participate in Holy Saturday’s Cross Country Classic? Sixty-five percent of the viewers who polled said yes, non-Belizeans play a vital role in the race. One person was of the view that “tough competition gives our folks the opportunity to learn, sharpen their skills and become better athletes.” The remaining thirty-five percent say they should not be allowed to participate.
The remaining thirty five percent are close minded people who probably never take chances in excelling in their jobs and life in general
yes of corse the foreigners should be able to take part in the cycling events in belize,not only should they be taking part but it will surley help the belizean cyclist to develope their skill which could take them to even a higher levle,and also it will help to boost profits in the economy.
I agree that competition is good for progress but since this is a celebrated “Belizean Tradition” this particular race should be exclusive to Belizeans like the Jade head and the Blue Hole!
yes foreigners should ride it make it more stronger for them also they can learn from them……we also should be more dedicated to supporting our riders with all necessary assistance…..
I truly do laugh when I hear questions and responses like this. the 35 % of those saying to keep foreigners out of competing with Belizean are the same sorry @$$#$ that never set any goals for themselves or their own children.. why strive for greatness when all you have to do is compete against an already sub performing unchallenged group of Belizeans who lazy their day away doing nothing..
How do you think foreigners beat us every year? Its because the practice and practice and compete and practice some more.. the spend hours “every day” riding and riding and riding
then riding some more.. until they are champions.. do they vote for eliminating competition.. NO.. they say “BRING IT ON, IT WILL ONLY MAKE ME A BETTER RIDER !!”
So cut the crap for god sakes.. either you have what it takes or you don’t .. and if you don’t .. then practice until you do, but don’t blame the competition that you don’t have what it takes.
Of course foreign riders should be allowed to participate. If we have no plans of our cyclists to get up to international level then we should exclude foreign riders. However I do agree with the others that our Belizean cyclists will benefit from having guys from other countries competing alongside them.
Just goes to show how narrow minded some folks are about this nationalistic awareness; If foreignors should not compete cycling then exclude Belize from ever other international sporting events, football, basketball, track and field, softball. etc,etc.
I believe that foreigners should ride.The problem is not that our Belizean Cyclists don’t have skill.I think what our Belizean Cyclists need are more incentives and financial support from us the Belizean people.It’s so ironic how we all want these guys to win and yet we do not support them financially.What is twenty thousand dollars for a first prize winner in the year 2011?That is peanuts.Give these young men a house or some a scholarship to further their education.Being a cyclist is not just about physical strenght.The cyclist still has to know how and when to make to attack hisor her opponent.
Our Government also need to get more involve in this sport.This is what every Belizean Citizen look forward to every Holy Saturday.We can’t allow this sport or any other sport to die.Honestly,i am proud of our Belizean Cyclists and i believe that they did more than good with the little resources they’ve got.