Basketball Scholarships for Students as Young as Primary Schoolers

The Ministry of Sports is holding a series of basketball tournaments for youths under the age of eighteen, with a view to provide them with scholarships. Through this effort, children of primary school age across the country who are skilled in the sport of basketball will be able to get a chance to enter high school and beyond. Sports Director at the National Sports Council, Ian Cal shared the details with us.

Ian Cal

Ian Cal, Director, National Sports Council

“We have the basketball tournaments happening right now and we hope to engage other disciplines as well, to ensure that we work together with the associations and federations as well to see how best we can attract more people into our facilities. That is what we are using right now to turn around and get the cash prizes as well for young people. For example, in this national competition, the under eighteen winners will be receiving scholarships. They won’t get any monetary cash. They will be receiving scholarships where that will go directly to the school because we don’t believe in giving these young kids money. We will deposit that directly to the school, so that is what will be their prize. Now in the adult category they will be receiving cash prizes.”

Meanwhile Minister of Sports, Rodwell Ferguson informed News Five that his ministry plans on establishing sporting academies in all six districts with a view to train Belize’s children in the disciplines of football and basketball.