Local fans support national basketball team

And while we have heard from COCABA, the players, the Minister of Sports and the legal advisor of Team Belize, what are people saying on the streets? News Five took to court of the public opinion.

Citizen # 1
“I’m supporting the Belizeans all the way. I think FIBA are just scared now that Belize has put together a very, very good team to defend us in the COCABA championships. They are scared of us so they can’t do nothing now. When we lost against Mexico last year we did not say anything. We just came back, we did our research and now we are better and come on.”

Citizen # 2
“I consider this an outrage and a travesty. These Belizean Americans, they derived their culture and heritage from Belize. They may have had parents and both parents were born down here went to study abroad. So then therefore they should not be a ban on them to play. It goes against everything we stand for as Belizeans.”

Citizen # 3
“I don’t think its fear, if they are allowed to play any other game in the city or why should it be a difference if they are abroad. They are representing us, we are one Belizeans.”

Duane Moody
“Do you think maybe it’s a plot because Belize has won two games straight, it’s a plot to kick them out of the competition and not have them win?”

Citizen # 3
“I would say so, yeah.”

Duane Moody
“Okay, so you’re giving them your full support.”

Citizen # 3
“I’m giving them my full support, hundred percent—go Belize.”

Citizen # 4
“This is not right and I really don’t support what FIBA is doing because come on their roots are here no matter what if you are form descent or you were actually born in Belize. Because they are winning and whenever Belize does anything great everybody supports it and I don’t think that being so prejudice to something like this is going to do anything good for us. So I think Belize should stand up and support this great feat that we are doing. So Belize, I support you all the way.”

Later on in the newscast, we’ll have James Adderley’s play by play on this afternoon’s victory against Guatemala at the Benito Juarez Poliforum.