Restrictions Relaxed: Basketball Tournament Kicks Off in Port Loyola

With the relaxation of restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a return to social activities that build and strengthen the community spirit. One such recreational activity is sports. In Port Loyola, Area Representative Gilroy Usher Sr. is once again organizing a basketball tournament and is inviting talent from across the constituency to participate in the event. This time, the Port of Belize Limited has partnered with the area representative on the initiative and handed over a check for one thousand dollars towards the prizes. We caught up with Usher and a representative of P.B.L. this morning at a brief ceremony.

Gilroy Usher Sr.

Gilroy Usher Sr., Area Representative, Port Loyola

“I’ve been in Port Loyola for over ten years and we do an annual basketball marathon.  We were unable to do the marathon for the past two years due to COVID, but with the relaxing of the COVID restrictions and so on and with the opening of the country, we gladly jumped at the opportunity to revive sports in the Port Loyola community. We are doing it because of a number of things, one: sports teach the youths life skills that empower them to become productive and law-abiding citizens. That’s one.  Two: sports provide job opportunities. A lot of the youths get employment through sports and with this tournament, we’ll be offering one thousand five hundred for first prize, one thousand for second prize and five hundred dollars for third prize. That’s three thousand dollars, and with a team of six players or seven players, the team that is victorious, each of the players can easily go home with two hundred dollars in their pockets.”

Maria Magaña

Maria Magaña, Chief Accountant, Port of Belize Limited

“As you know, the port is in the heart of the Port Loyola community and we support this initiative because after being locked down for two years due to COVID-19, this an opportunity to begin activities to engage the community, in particular with sports. What it does is bring the youths together, so we are very proud to sponsor this initiative.”