2012 makes it 6 years since Belize has been competing in the Central American Junior Scholastic games - or CODICADER - as it is well known. And, our high school teams performed excellently in Guatemala for the last 2 weeks.
Belize brought home 2 gold medals and 1 bronze, and today, the President of the National Secondary Schools Sports Association spoke to us about the winning performances.
Here's what he told us:
Deon Sutherland, President, NSSSA
"We have been competing now in this game for 6 years. This is our 6th year and this is the year that we have done so far our very best in terms of medals and in terms of team performance. This year we are participating in 7 disciplines; basketball - male and female, volleyball - male and female, softball - females, Athletics, football - male, baseball and table tennis."
Daniel Ortiz
"Can you please tell us about our most recent performance?"
Deon Sutherland, President, NSSSA
"The first part of the game was held in Guatemala, in Quetzaltenango and Retalhuleu. We participated there in softball and tennis. In softball the females from Ladyville Technical High School won the gold medal defeating Guatemala in the last championship game and so we were victorious. Last year we got 2nd and this year we got 1st place."
"The table tennis - the guys were new. It was their first time appearance and the guys held their own and they realize how much further they have to go in this sport, but nonetheless they were very good and they actually won a couple sets for the games."
"Then we had basketball and volleyball came in as the last sport. Basketball male won the gold again - the males of Sadie Vernon represented and in volleyball the females from SCA got bronze medal, they got the 3rd place. This year so far in the games we have participated we have 7 gold medals and 1 bronze."
"Over the years we have really gotten better and that's why our parent body which is BAPS and the ones who are responsible for secondary schools sports - we decided that for the good of these athletes and for their great performances it's something we want to continue. The funding is great, the planning is great and the logistics is great and of course you know everybody is in financial strains and so this is something that we really want and we push it really hard. With the limited funds we got we try to do our best and go out there and have these kids represent and represent well."
On Monday, the CODICADER games continue in El Saldvador, and the team from Stann Creek Ecumenical Highschool will be the Belize's representatives for football. Belize will also be represented by a national selection of athletes in track and field.
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