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This evening the Queen’s Relay Baton continued its journey through Belize on its way to the Commonwealth Games in India. This afternoon’s journey started at the Memorial Park and ended at the House of Culture where Mayor Zenaida Moya should have handed it over to Minister of Sports Elvin Penner. That was supposed to happen at 5:30 but when we left at 6 pm – neither the Mayor nor the Minister had arrived for the handover. We did however to speak to some of lucky youths who got to carry it from the Memorial Park to the House of Culture.

Bell Graham, Carried Baton
“It was a great honour because it is such an amazing thing, the baton is going to be the Commonwealth Games and you actually get to hold it. It is quite an experience really.”

Cassandra Gloria, Carried Baton
“Oh my God, such a big honour. Even though some people might not see it as that much, I enjoyed it because I am so honoured, it is so cool to hold it, honestly.”

Steve Gloria, Carried Baton
“Seriously getting to hold something that represents so much from all the way back in history is just amazing. We study this in school and it is just really privileged to be able to experience what it is like to really be a part of history.”

Keith Swift,
“Was it heavy?

Cassandra Gloria,
“Well not really. It was like 2 kilos or something like that but it is such an honour to hold it that I didn’t feel the weight.”

Ned Pitts, President – Commonwealth Games Assoc.
“I am happy that they included us this year again in having the baton come to Belize and I am happy that it did come because we were looking forward to it. We call the games the friendly game because the rivalry is there but we have greater friendship among the Commonwealth. So we call it the Commonwealth Games.”

Keith Swift,
“What is the importance of the baton?”

Ned Pitts,
“The baton is a symbol of the friendship and it gives an opportunity to sort of highlight both the games and the friendship with the baton because the baton is being flashed over the entire world and the entire Commonwealth.”

The Mayor arrived at 6:15 and the event is ongoing at this hour. The baton heads to Belmopan tomorrow.