Football stars in Smart Summer Camp take home trophies and certificates

Outstanding campers received certificates this morning in the Stars Summer Camp. The football camp drew a large number of participants that honed their skills on the various techniques of the sport. Freelance reporter Duane Moody was present for the closing of the camp.

Duane Moody, Reporting

The SMART sponsored Stars Summer Camp that fosters football skills of youths in Belize City culminated today at the MCC Grounds with the issuance of certificates and trophies. The best camper and best skilled player of the Under-eight, under-twelve and under-fifteen categories were chosen.

Duane Moody

“Deon you are one of the campers with the best skills. Tell us what did it take for you to win that?”

Deon Cacho

Deon Cacho, Best Camper, U-12

“Just show how to control, how to dribble and how to shoot.”

Duane Moody

“And you surpass the rest; you beat out the rest because of your skills?”

Deon Cacho

“Yes sir.”

Naim Wilson

Naim Wilson, Best Skill Player, U-15

“I learn so many things like juggling the ball, heading, chesting and control and so many others.”

Duane Moody

“How does it feel to actually win the award?”

Naim Wilson

“It feels very exciting.”

Best overall Goalkeeper was Gregory Fisher who says it takes determination.

Gregory Fisher, Best Goal Keeper

“It feel good. How to grab; Mister Jordan help me work out how to grab.”

Duane Moody

“Okay, what skills have you learned throughout the program and what are you going to take home?”

Gregory Fisher

“How to not let the ball get loose out of my hand when the ball comes.”

Duane Moody

“You know normally those balls come at high speed. You noh ‘fraid fi den deh?”

Gregory Fisher

“No sir.”

Vallan Simm

Also acknowledged were instructors: Vallan Simms, Kaya Cattouse and Anthony Bernard. They received cell phones courtesy of Smart Belize.

Vallan Simms, Camp Instructor

“Smart helps us big time every year and thanks to SMART and SMART has given us a phone and we appreciate it. And anytime when things come to kids and they help us, we always appreciate it.”

Marketing Officer of Smart, Leslie Sanchez, says that the kids will be taking home much more than skills.

Leslie Sanchez

Leslie Sanchez, Marketing Officer, Smart

“Investing in these social programs, this is an opportunity for the company to invest back into the community.  We had three trophies, jersey and stuff. The trophies to the kids was really a tremendous investment being that they are going to be motivated as of today and moving forward I am definitely sure that we had some young potential aspiring semi-pro players right amongst them.”

Vallan Simms

“How to dribble, how to pass and how to shoot. And I teach them sportsmanship too; that is the most important thing too to be a good sportsmanship in the sports.”

Eighty-four youths participated in the two weeks camp. Duane Moody for News Five.