Earlier in the news, we showed you how the police are kicking up dust all over the city - but even street corner social scientists can tell you, if crime is truly to be countered, youths have to be given alternatives, something purposeful and engaging to do, so that they don't lapse into crime. And some of the best of those alternatives were on display this weekend in Orange Walk Town with a national youth basketball tournament and the bandfest.
We'll start with the basketball. The Belize Telemedia National Under 15 and under 17 Championship was held in Orange Walk Town at the Sports Complex.
The Championship is the culmination of a massive national under 15 and under 17 tournament in every district where over 70 teams competed.
It came down to regional finals in the north, south, east and west, and on Saturday those regional champs met in a knockout tournament in Orange Walk.
BBF President Paul Thompson told us why the tournament which ran for two and a half months is so important for both the basketball community and the wider community.
Paul Thompson, BBF President
"The national tournament had over 70 teams - over 800 young men participating on this tournament - National U-15 and U-17. This impact is very far reaching and widespread. This type of recreating and this type of activity should be the long term plan of how we deal with the community. There is one aspect of trying to tackle these issues and that is to come up with laws, enforcing the police. But we believe more importantly that this type of recreation and this type of activity should be the long term plan of how we deal with the community. The major aspect of this tournament and a benefit of this tournament is for all our basketball players across the country to build a fraternity. This tournament is helping towards us, putting together our national teams. It's very beneficial for this to happen because the last U-15 national team that we had consisted of mostly Belize City based players. This tournament aids in us seeing new players and new talent that's out there and believe me we've been to PG and Corozal and we've seen some incredible talent that we intent to harness and to bring and in and for them to be a part of the national team. So a tournament like this gives us a better chance to look at our players and for us to build something for our future that's really national - basketball family."
In the end, the Cruisers from Belize City won the national under 17 tournament, while Rising Stars also from Belize City won the national under 15 tournament.
Email
Print