…And more fans take flight to witness game in Cancun
With Belize’s international basketball history being written so close to home in Cancun, Mexico; Belizeans are trekking north by any means necessary to be witnesses. One business that has benefited as a result is Maya Island Air through its recently inaugurated, direct flight to Cancun. Hoping to lessen the home court advantage of Mexico by supporting Team Belizean Heritage at court side, basketball fanatics countrywide have been packing their bags and catching Maya’s flights to Cancun. News Five headed to the Phillip Goldson International Airport (P.G.I.A.) where we spoke with some of the ecstatic fans and Maya Island Air’s Regional Airport Manager.
Jose Armando Fajardo, Regional Airport Mgr, Maya Island Air
“Since the tournament started on Monday, on Sunday we started to see the increase in passengers in approximately thirty percent. For example today, we were transporting fifty-two passengers to Cancun so that shows that Belizeans are behind the national team one hundred percent.”
Fidencia Rivero, Basketball Fan
“We di go da Cancun fi bring in the goal. We have all di fate. With god everything is possible and we know that God is with us.”
Duane Moody
“And you are traveling by yourself or your family?”
Fidencia Rivero
“No I am carrying a friend with me, a little boy. I think he wah enjoy it more than me, but God knows it all.”
Duane Moody
“Have you always been a fan of basketball?”
Fidencia Rivero
“Of course, of course. I always be because my husband love it.”
Julian Murrillo, Secretary General, Belize Basketball Federation
“We couldn’t miss this for the world, it’s a pity the entire country of Belize couldn’t make this trip. I mean, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This is as far as we’ve come in basketball in this region in a very long time. So very excited and I’m extremely anxious for the plane to land for me to get in the auditorium to see how the guys would perform tonight.”
Duane Moody
“What do you think are the chances for Belize knocking out Mexico out of the waters?”
Julian Murrillo
“Umm good—to be honest with you—good. I think umm, from the mere fact of our performances in the first rounds, people are saying that Belize is the favorite.”
Duane Moody
“Is there any hopes of the frequency of flights to and from Cancun to increase over the period of time?”
Jose Armando Fajardo
“Yes I think that it will depend on the market, but right now we only want to show the people that we have the resources to comply with another flight—the human resources and the equipment to open a new flight to any of the three destinations—international destinations—we are operating right now so we are ready to do that.”
