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Holly Edgell - Comm. and Mktg. Officer, NICH
"Belize and there's never a dull moment it seems when you come from June through the end of the year and one of the next things coming in our calendar is sports related but NICH has a role in it. So, that is the Codicader opening ceremonies on Thursday and the reason why we are involved is that the institute for creative arts is producing the entire opening ceremony. So, this is not going to be just some kids coming in, sing the national anthem and go home. This is going to be a show that really embraces the children from all over Central America. Remember, these are kids, these are ages 6 to 11. So, these are young kids who are coming really for sportsmanship for participating and it might be their 1st trip out of their home country and for Belize players this may be for the first time competing on the international level. So, starting at 4:30 at Marion Jones Stadium, we are going to have marimba, we are going to have steal bands, we are going to have marching bands, we are going to have dance. The theme is Colors of Central America but there's going to be a strong Caribbean flavor in there as well because we know that Belize can bring that to the table unlike some of the other countries in the region. So, all the countries will be representing..., we are expecting more than nine hundred kids, that's Belizeans and other Central American countries and a really beautiful ceremony to kick things off. There is going to be torch just like the Olympics. There's going to be an oath that athletes all take an oath for sportsmanship, a lot of fun surprises. So, it's free. I really encourage people to come and cheer on the kids on Thursday at Marion Jones Stadium."

The steel band and other participants in the opening act have been practicing for weeks. The theme for the show is Colors of Central America.