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A group of 76 Belizean athletes accompanied by their coaches and other officials are heading to Panama this weekend to take part in the 9th Central American Games which opens officially tomorrow. The group is comprised of several delegations representing the various disciplines in Athletics, Cycling, Karate, Softball and Volleyball. Belize’s silver medallist National Softball team is hoping to bring the gold back this year…that’s what Head Coach, Greg Moguel told 7News as the first part of the National Contingent team made their way to the Phillip Goldson International Airport, to catch their flight to Panama.

Jim McFadzean Reporting,
It’s a fairly young but experienced national team, ranked as one of the top teams in the Central American region, its silver medal performance of last year bears proof of that. And according to the team’s head coach, Greg Moguel, lookout Central American Games number nine, because Belize this year, is fielding a leaner and meaner machine.

Greg Moguel, Head Coach
“We are ready and we are prepared. I think this is the first time that women’s national team has been through a very rigorous training and I want to give kudos to Charlie Slusher who has been our trainer and he has really done a tremendous job. So I think we are better prepared for this tournament than the last tournament we went to.”

Jim McFadzean,
“Which teams are going to be your greatest challenge?”

Greg Moguel,
“Because of the past that we have been into other tournaments, I think Salvador will be our challenge for this tournament. We have known that the Nicaraguan team has very tremendous hitting and their weakest would have been pitching but we know that over the period of years they would have worked on that so we expect they will also be one of our rivalry.”

But no one is more confident of a win than the team’s veteran pitcher, Lanisha Jones who is only too familiar with what Belize will be up against.

Lanisha Jones, Pitcher
“Our greatest strength I believe is defensive and offensive wise because we have good hitters and as well we have good fielders.”

Jim McFadzean,
“And in your opinion you played on the team last year, which team is going to give you guys the greatest challenge?”

Lanisha Jones,
“Honestly I don’t think any of them will give us a greater challenge. We will meet them face to face and whenever the game is over we will know who will be the better one.”

Belize’s dominated the sport during the seventies and early eighties, but the programme took a decline as some of the national team’s best players migrated to the United States. The recent hiring of well known football athlete, Charlie Slusher as the team’s trainer is bringing renewed hope for a victory in Panama.

Jim McFadzean,
“What do you believe it is going to take for you all to bring back gold home this year?”

Jolene Davis, Right Fielder
“Well I think we are in a very much better physical shape than last year. I think we’ve worked hard and with the hard work that we’ve done I think it will pay off now.”

Jim McFadzean,
“What have you all done differently in training this year that will give you that extra added advantage?”

Tanya Davs, Center Fielder
“Well this is my first year so I think the training part was very hard and so it will pay off.”

Lisa Jones, Catcher
“I don’t see any reason why we can’t bring back the gold because all the late night working out, it should pay off.”

Reporting for 7News, I’m Jim McFadzean.

The National Softball Team has been training for the games since last November and a majority of this year’s team is made up of players from the silver medal team. Belize is expected to play its first game this Saturday.