Central American & Caribbean Games in Puerto Rico cancelled

Earlier we told you that the Centro Basket games had been postponed today due to the poor conditions due the sporting facilities in the Dominican Republic. According to the reports from Santo Domingo, the problem has been raised all the way up to FIBA officials. Well, there’s another country that’s having a similar problem with its facilities. The Belize under twenty-one national football team has been preparing for the Central American and Caribbean Games, which was scheduled to be held in Puerto Rico. But after winning the first qualifying match in Belmopan, drawing in the second match in Nicaragua and putting in countless hours of training the team received some crushing news. The games have been called off. Marguerite Hulse, the General Secretary for the Football Federation of Belize told us why and she says the players are devastated.

Via Phone: Marguerite Hulse, General Secretary, F.F.B.

“The team will not be entering the Central American and Caribbean Games—it’s not the team not entering but the games have been cancelled by CONCACAF.”

Delahnie Bain

“Why was it cancelled?”

Via Phone: Marguerite Hulse

“According to an email received from CONCACAF stating CONCACAF withdraws from organization of CAC Games. It says and I quote “After inspections they have decided that the facilities and conditions of the tournament to be held in Mayagüez do not meet the minimum standards required to conduct an international tournament. In that regards, CONCACAF will, therefore not assist in the organization of the event by sending staff and match officials” end of quote.”

Delahnie Bain

“So the problem is the condition of the facilities in Puerto Rico.”

Via Phone: Marguerite Hulse

“Yes, mainly the pitch and to some extent the dormitories housing these players, participants. They are very much disappointed. The majority of them actually cried because they have been working hard towards something that never came through. So it was disappointing for them as well as the federation because we have been investing quite a few in them from this and it’s at a complete loss.”

The games are called off indefinitely unless the Olympic Committee decides otherwise.