Women?s basketball league is about more than sport

It’s a unique approach but this month local women activists are hoping that basketball will help take women off the back bench of society and onto the court of life in a positive way. According to officials of the Women Issues Network, so far six teams have signed up to participate in their first ever female tournament. Organiser Shelmadine Cacho says that in addition to the social aspect of the game, players and fans will have the opportunity to obtain some vital information.

Shelmadine Cacho, Organiser, WIN Belize Tournament
?We have seen the need to improve female sports and also to increase awareness about the issues affecting women, namely HIV/AIDS and family violence. So we have noticed that sport is a vehicle that we can use to get our message across about HIV/AIDS and family violence.?

?We have gotten support from BFLA and the Alliance Against AIDS and they are going to issue pamphlets and condoms and educate about family violence and HIV/AIDS and also physical activity.?

Janelle Chanona
?So they?ll set up a booth at the game and do that??

Shelmadine Cacho
?We have booths, information available. We are going to try and get local artists to perform at half time, all sorts of performances.?

?Come out, support us, it?s a worthy cause. Women have been on the backbench for a while and it?s time for women to get together and organise ourselves, organise sports in Belize.?

Friday night’s game one will see the Rookies take on the Maria Chang Second Edition Crew while primetime action features the Sparks versus WIN Belize. Entrance fee is three dollars adults, one dollar children. Door prizes will be awarded during the games.