Belize’s victory in these games of course, was no small accomplishment and might yet mark a very significant turning point in our existence. When have we ever seen such support for a local team, notwithstanding the glory days of softball of course, but even theirs was no match for the enthusiasm and nationalism generated as a result of this resounding victory. When have so many Belizeans stood at attention with every voice raised, and sang of driving back tyrants and making despots flee. Not since 1798 has there been such a display of patriotism. Prominent in the highlights of course, would have to be the picture of Milton Palacio and Olin Simpliss draped in a Belizean flag accepting their awards. Their inclusion on the team along with the two other Belizean Americans Kent Bennett and Alex Carcamo was the cause of some controversy and brings to the foreground, an underlying sentiment that is shared by more than a few Belizeans. Should Belizeans living abroad be viewed in the same light as those who have remained at home? Of course we could refer this argument to Jesus and his parable of a prodigal son, but this situation is not even that complex. The fact is that while some Belizeans do return with negative proclivities, there are many abroad whose input would be positive. It would be foolish to spurn their contributions, and after all there are many Belizeans right here at home, who have not half the love nor loyalty of many of these.

But, back to the games. While the entire package for this fourteenth CARICOM did command a hefty price tag, and some estimates put it as high as a million easy, when we consider what we actually got in return, I am convinced that it was money well spent. It united all Belizeans, at home and abroad, like nothing before it has ever done and while the U.D.P. now seems poised to capitalize on this victory, it is certainly not a move that I would endorse. This was not a U.D.P. victory nor was it a P.U.P. defeat, and while none can deny that it did occur during a U.D.P. administration, those six thousand plus in the Civic last Friday were not singing praises to the U.D.P., but were instead celebrating a united Belizean victory. For just that one-week and especially that one night, politics was forgotten and red, blue and undecided rallied around the red, blue and white and cheered our team victorious. It would be a fatal mistake for either party to try and milk any political mileage from this cow, for it was just not about that.

Now latest reports, and sketchy at best they are, suggest that gate receipts, fell way short of the projected half a million return. Okay, we had two less teams than anticipated and the tournament ran eight days instead of ten. One early estimate however, puts the total tally for the entire eight nights at less than a hundred and fifty thousand and I think we need a recount. We had at least three sellouts and two near sellouts. The last night alone saw well over six thousand fans packed into the civic and not even counting the reserves, which was a whopping twenty five dollars per, at just fifteen dollars a head this alone should have grossed over 90 thousand. Of course, I will be the first to admit that I am no mathematician and my calculations might be off. But what do you think?

As for the overall expenditure, a million does not sound too bad, especially when we consider the fortunes that have been squandered on harebrain schemes by our political parties. This party then, and a joyous one it was, would have seemed worth the cost. Our neighbors left impressed and had naught but praise for our hospitality. Rumors were that coach Greenwood had not been taken care of and as a result was unhappy so I made it a point to see him off at the PGIA last Saturday. He assured me that this was not the case and would be available, should we desire his services for Venezuela. We desire coach, we desire!