7 News Belize

Belize Makes A Mark In U-15 Football
posted (November 27, 2012)
Whenever a selection of Belizean athletes enters a sporting event - we're always the underdogs, due to population and a lack of training and facilities.

But, in sports, the biggest intangible is heart, you can't buy it or coach it; either you have it or you don't. And a team of Belizean under 15 footballers proved that they had an abundance of heart when they travelled to the Dominican Republic for a competition last week.

They came home today and 7news along with excited family members were at the airport to greet them:...

Jules Vasquez reporting
A hero's welcome awaited the players of the Belmopan Football Talent School Selection at the international airport.

They came out of the arrival lounge to the embraces of family.

And they earned those embraces by bringing home the hardware that which is so sought after but so rarely seen, a championship cup - Gold in the Dominican Republic U-15 Football Tournament.

The under 15 players also got a VIP welcome from the Minister of Sports - and their own press conference in the airport's VIP room.

Pastor Santi Valencia who acted as their coach for the tournament explained that they've earned the recognition.

Pastor Santi Valencia, Team Organizer
"These kids they are just a bunch of Belizeans young boys that went out there to have fun; yes we did have fun, I believe the boys had fun but these boys represented Belize."

And that meant showing true grit as the tournament under-dogs against Dominican and Mexican selections:

Pastor Santi Valencia, Team Organizer
"Nothing was given to us. It wasn't handed down on a silver platter. It wasn't something that we just went over and ran over a couple kids over there. Every single step of the way these kids fought for every bit of it and literally, not just fought, almost had to fist fight in some cases but because of the discipline I saw my boys kneeling down on all fours and looking at the opponent and would raise just hang their heads and almost in tears because of the abuse, the physical abuse. We were insulted because we were the underdogs - we were Belize - we were nothing and my boys continue to fight and they bled for what they got and the Mexicans drop us but they didn't give up. They drop us 1-0 and our boys wanted to win. All I had to say to them was "this is for your family, this is for Belize, we will take this." I am telling you, some of them were in tears and they got up and they kept on fighting and at the end of the day we conquered."

Raji Solarzano, MVP for the tournament
"They had us down 1-0 at first but we dug deep and didn't give up and in spite of that we still came out with the victory."

Dimitri Faber, Team Captain
"Everyone played their role. When we had injuries, blisters, pain in our legs, we tried to forget that and we just played on and play hard and didn't give an inch to long whistle blow."

That and 3 other victories - they left the tournament undefeated and with the leading scorer and the MVP.

Renan Couoh, Coach
"The group worked very hard. This is a historic big win for Belize."

Raji Solarzano, MVP for the tournament
"It really means a lot to me because when I trained I work really hard and I take my training seriously and so I feel like all the hard work paid off."

Randy Augustine, Top scorer
"We just want to ask for more support so that football can go farther in Belize."

Raji Solarzano, MVP for the tournament
"There are a lot of dedicated players out there that really wants to succeed in the sport and get farther in the sport. We need more support."

In a statement the FFB says, "this is a Historic win for Belize since it is the first time Belize has won an International football tournament."

The Ministry of Sports committed one thousand dollars to assist the team - which was roundly criticized by members of the press as being too little.


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