Sports Roundup with James Adderley
Good Evening, I’m James Adderley welcoming you to this portion of Sports Monday.
The Belize Canoe Association continued its preparation for the 2012 La Ruta Maya set to launch on 9th March with the presentation of another stage race on Saturday February 4th. At the 9:30 a.m. start, 18 canoes have lined up for the event and if you’re a keen fan of this sport, you might be thinking they’re headed the wrong way; but they’re not. The association had decided today’s race would travel upstream going from the Haulover Bridge to Burrell Boom. As always breaking out of the pack is compulsory for the big boys who must avoid the dangers that lurk in a crowded field. Fortunately, today no canoe is overturned in the frenzy of competition.
Meanwhile, in the Pleasure Craft Category, it’s Print Belize taking top honors in 2:37:46 featuring Jesus Hozes, Rudolph Gentle and Jabier Guardado and you can see to your left the Junior Team of Garret Bermudez, Adrian and Darren Williams get victimized by a spill. Hats off to the female team – Police – who won this category in 2:46:40 behind the energy of Audrey Moody, Jane usher and Ruth Cruz. Folks it was Natius winning the Junior Class in 2:31:58 but we got no picture so we apologize to Alfred Lopez, Byron Cruz and Armando Lopez. And of course we give a shout out to Grumpy Ole Men who were more tired than grumpy today. For sure peddling upstream is rough. In the meantime, the countdown to La Ruta Maya on 9th March continues.
The defending La Ruta Champion Zip Rider quickly surges to the lead followed closely by the sub-champions and archrivals Belize Bank while NICH makes it a 3-boat race in the open male class. At Bainton Bank, we see the mighty struggle for supremacy continue to rage and if you think paddling upstream is a walk in the park, just watch the energy and the skill being displayed by the 3 lead boats. It’s money time now inside Burrell Boom and Jerry Rhaburn, Feliz Cruz and Efrain Cruz power their craft to the win in 2:16:37. The brothers; Erwin, Amado and Daniel Cruz mount a gallant effort that falls short as they take 2nd place 3 seconds later while NICH pulls up 3rd—5 seconds behind the winner.
In the mixed team class, Oceana powered by Chris, his daughter Jayda and Jamel Seguro takes the victory in 2:27:14 and finished 5th overall.
Maito Perdomo
Turning to the football scene we caught up with newly elected President of the Premier Football League of Belize, Omario Perdomo Jr. N an effort to play catch-up on the scene.
Maito Perdomo
“This league is the amalgamation of the previous BPFL and the Super league. They came together with all the road map for the new election of the F.F.B. and the district branches. So out of this came the premier league of Belize and we went to elections in December and I won as president. A new executive was formed and we’re here today with a new league. I will not be running for the President of F.F.B. The league will have six votes for that election to elect the new president. There are three slates right now and today is the last day for nominations. So I guess you guys will be getting some news on that later on this week. The elections are march fifteenth.”
So here’s the schedule for the opening week in the PFLB. On Saturday 11th, paradise Freedom Fighters take on San Ignacio United at Toledo Union Field at 4 p.m. Police United will host Placencia Assassins at the MCC Grounds 7:30 p.m. ON Saturday 12th FC Belize takes on World FC at the MCC Grounds. The B.D.F. battles San Pedro at the Norman Broaster Stadium and Verdes goes to work against Belmopan Bandits inside the Marshalleck Stadium—all 4 p.m. starts. At 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, San Felipe Barcelona will host Juventus in a battle of the North.
Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
