Sports initiatives may be the next aid package to Belize

gabriel sanchez

The Venezuela National Basketball team gave Belize a challenge at Thursday night’s exhibition game at the City Center. It was a five point loss for the Belize National Basketball Team which only had a few days to practice. And as we said at the top of the newscast, there is another opportunity for retribution in game two, tonight. The skilled Venezuelan team, does not rank twenty three in the world simply because of the height advantage; the players have had adequate training over the years. According to Gabriel Sanchez, the First Secretary for the Venezuelan Embassy, sports may be the next area of cooperation that will bloom between the two nations.

Jose Sanchez

“How did this visit come about?”

Gabriel Sanchez, First Secretary, Venezuelan Embassy

“This was very interesting. The Basketball Federation of Belize just approached us at the embassy and they said that they wanted to get a match with the Venezuelan basketball team. We said that was a very good idea. We decided to support them. They made the contact and we supported them by helping them with the transportation and some of the contacts we did with the basketball team.”

Jose Sanchez

“I know Venezuela has this initiative with eye doctors and eye care, but basketball is an important sport to our culture. Do you think that in addition to the medical mission, we can see training, coaches, some exchange in terms of players to learn to advance our sport?”

Gabriel Sanchez

“Yeah the idea goes beyond our imagination. We’re trying to do our best, this is just the first step so that Belize can know the Venezuelan Embassy and the government of Venezuelan is doing its best to deepen the relationship in cultural and sports relationship and also the opportunity to have a very good experience among peoples.”

Jose Sanchez

“Okay I know Venezuela is doing a lot for Belize; but what does Belize give back to Venezuela?”

Gabriel Sanchez

“You know that is the old scheme regarding cooperation, if I give you something, you gotta give me something too in return. Venezuela doesn’t work that way; you are our brothers and we want to help you and in a way we feel very good and very nice. We’re just doing this because we want to share something that we have with you, so that you can improve and be better and have the opportunity to grow as a very strong nation.”