Belize City Games aims to build sports
The first Belize City Games will be played in the old capital from August tenth to nineteenth. The nine-day event, launched this morning at a press conference by the Belize City Council, promises to promote discipline, competition and goodwill through sports. City Councillor Austin Waight, who has sports as part of his portfolio, says the Belize City Games will feature seventeen different activities.
Ann-Marie Williams
“As a precursor to the Belize Games, what are some of the disciplines that will be taking part, and who can compete in the City Games?”
Austin Waight, City Councillor
“Some of the disciplines that will be taking part is basketball, football, track and field, cycling, dominoes, pool, sailing, karate, bodybuilding, sport shooting, beach volleyball, and maybe a couple others. As long as you’re a Belize City resident, you can take part in the Belize City Games.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“Who pays for the Belize City Games.”
Austin Waight
“The Belize City Games will be part funded by the Belize City Council, the Government of Belize and the private sector. We’re having a luncheon sponsored by the Olympic Committee, to appeal to the business sector to assist us. I want to see Belize City transformed into a little Olympic village for those ten days, where everybody is excited about sports and excited about our Belizean athletes. And just kind of continue that feeling that Marion Jones brought to us when she ran with our flag at the Olympics, and try to capture that again and show our youths that we can move forward and get some discipline as well through sports, it’s good for us.”
Belize City Mayor David Fonseca, who came up with the idea for the games, also introduced Victor/Victoria, the event’s official mascot. The mascot was designed by artist Charles Chavannes. Representatives of the various sporting associations were also present to give an overview of their role in the games.
