Celebrities sweat for charity
Their names are well known…but not necessarily in the positions of guard, forward and centre. But not to worry, the ragtag bunch of basketballers will be playing their hearts out at City Centre Friday night…all in the name of charity.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
This Friday night, the Belize City Centre will hold court to an eclectic collection of sports stars, media personalities and other public figures…Not all of them are balers, but they are all dying trying; impressively so at times…And faking out the big shots is real sweet.
To be sure there are going to be a lot of red faced people, a lot of sweaty people, a lot of heavy breathers on this court, but no matter what, we’re all here to have fun for a good cause.
Janelle Chanona
“Tell me about this charity basketball game.”
Marvin Ottley, Events Manager, Natl. Sports Council
“It’s obviously for us to raise some funds to help support our primary school programmes. But primarily we want people to come together to have a lot of fun. We have our nationals that consist of the entire country, all the districts. That sometimes could go up to almost two, three hundred athletes. But you also have the district finals, which we are responsible for and the district competition. And that also, with all the primary schools in Belize City, that something all around two, three hundred athletes at some time.”
And to be sure, in this game, the emphasis will be on fun…right?
Enid Dakers, Basketballer
“We wanted to show other females and males that basketball is not really serious, you can play it for fun. And it’s for a worthy cause.”
Janelle Chanona
“What will be your strategy? I know you’re going up against some bigger guys, some smaller girls, and some competitive females out there. What’s gonna be your game plan?”
Enid Dakers
“Defence and hold Keith Acosta.”
Ernest Meighan, Cyclist
“I was very shocked that I’m invited to the basketball game out here on Friday. So this is my second workout, I’m trying my best. I know basketball is not my sport, but I’m gonna try my best and have some fun.”
Jules Vasquez, News Director, Channel 7
“The N.B.A. cliché, leave it all on the court Friday night, and we wah left it all on the court…Unuh gwine down.”
Janelle Chanona
“So you wah end up on the court too?”
Jules Vasquez
“Tell Stewart Krohn to come out here, he nevah used to play ball? He’s from America, they have courts deh. We grow up in the hood, we noh have courts.”
Janelle Chanona
“So this is personal?”
Jules Vasquez
“It personal, it’s beef.
Janelle Chanona
“Bring it on.”
Jules Vasquez
“You know it.”
Game two on Friday night will feature the “masters” of the game. Here too, rivalries die-hard.
Kevin Castillo, Basketball Coach
“Understand that majority of the people out here are very seasoned players from the past, so the fundamentals of the game is gonna be there. The conditioning, I can’t promise anything in relation to that. But I think everybody will give a good account of themselves.”
Janelle Chanona
“Anybody you on the court will be looking to do a thing on?”
Kevin Castillo
“Evan Hyde and Marshal Nunez.”
Janelle Chanona
“Why those two people? Because you have a history?”
Kevin Castillo
“basically yes, we go way back playing against each other. Let’s see what happens.”
You can see what will happen on the hardwood this Friday night at the Belize City Centre. Game time is scheduled for eight and admission is five dollars at the door. Children are free.
