Councilor Adaly Ayuso

n March 6th, the San Pedro Town Council's Sports Department launched its highly anticipated annual softball tournament at the Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex (Saca Chispas Field). This event marks the beginning of an exciting season for local softball enthusiasts and is part of the council's ongoing efforts to promote sports and community engagement in San Pedro. The opening day featured four teams competing in friendly but spirited matches, showcasing local talent and promoting recreational activities.

The Island League Football Tournament crowned a new champion at the Ambergris Stadium on Saturday, January 11th. The final match of the local tournament had both teams and their fans on edge, as the regulation 90 minutes were not enough to determine a winner. It took an additional 30 minutes of overtime and penalty kicks for Sharks FC to secure a hard-fought victory over Sea Bulls FC.

The basketball court at Boca del Rio Beach Park has been fully renovated, thanks to a partnership between Will Mitchell, RE/MAX Belize Real Estate, and the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC). This project has provided the island's sporting community with a brand-new basketball court, complete with new rims and bleachers, creating a safe and engaging environment for the island's youth.

The condition of a basketball court is crucial for the game's overall quality. Recognizing its importance, RE/MAX Belize Real Estate has partnered with the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) to renovate the Boca del Rio Park basketball court. This initiative began on October 9th with repairs to the concrete flooring. The comprehensive revitalization plan includes a new court design inspired by the Belizean flag and replacing two basketball rims. The goal is to create a safe and engaging environment for the youth of Ambergris Caye, promoting access to high-quality outdoor sports and encouraging positive recreational activities.

On Friday, September 13th, the Mundialito Football Tournament's second and final semi-final round was held at 5PM at the Ambergris Stadium. Four teams competed: Germany, Argentina, Belize, and Brazil. The matches were intense as the young football players strove to score goals and earn points for a chance to compete in the ultimate showdown. With the semi-finals over, the Championship match is scheduled for Thursday, September 19th. The first game determines the third-place winner, and the second game will be anticipated finals.

The San Pedro Town Council Sports (SPTCS) continues to promote sports on the island through its different sports academies geared at the island’s youth. The softball academy started on Saturday, August 24th, with the track and field academy set to begin on Saturday, September 7th. These two additional sports academies and the SPTCS’s football academy, which began earlier this year in February, provide exciting opportunities for children to develop their skills and passion for sports. The program aims to include children in positive events and strengthen family bonds through sporting initiatives.

The community running club 501 Run Club held its second annual 5K Glow Run on Friday, August 30th, at Central Park in San Pedro Town. The event drew many runners of different ages who participated in both male and female categories. At the end of the 3.1-mile race, the top three runners in each category received medals, and organizers encouraged everyone to continue practicing a healthy lifestyle.

In September, Belizeans celebrate their nation's history with patriotic events. This month commemorates the Battle of St. George's Caye and Belize's Independence Day. This year's theme for the September Celebrations is "Valiant and Bold, Proud and Free! Belize @ 43," reflecting the nation's spirit of unity, courage, and freedom. The festivities started with flag-raising ceremonies across the county for National Flag Day. On Sunday, September 1st, at 6AM, community members, local authorities, and proud Belizeans gathered at Central Park for the ceremonial event opening the September Celebrations. As the first rays of sunlight lit up the park, voices sang the national anthem as the Belizean flag rose into the sky.