Belize men’s National Basketball team wins Bronze at Central American Games

While the team was shooting for gold, this achievement against tough competition is encouraging for the BBF’s National Team Programme.

Head Coach Milton Palacio, former NBA, Euroleague and Team Belize standout player, has pledged his commitment to continue the process of rebuilding the National Team Programme in developing young players and coaches going forward, and in preparation for the upcoming international basketball competition cycle.

The Central American Games will be followed by the National Team’s participation in the first round of the FIBA AmeriCup competition which starts in February, 2018.

The FIBA AmeriCup competition marks the launch of a new competition and Olympic qualifying format being adopted by FIBA which features a new ‘home and away’ structure for international play.

The BBF says that this new format allows exposure of our team and our country in each round, and permits our fans with the best opportunity to provide maximum support when we host our opponents at each stage of play. The availability of the soon to be completed Belize Civic Center with FIBA approved specifications is therefore considered very timely.

The BBF is a non-profit organization which relies solely on contributions and assistance from the private sector and the public at large for their programmes.

The BBF is extending sincerest gratitude to the following entities which provided support for the Central American Games: BECOL, Belize Tourist Board (BTB), the National Sports Council, the Belize OIympic & Commonwealth Games Association, the Belize Airports Concession Company Ltd, Atlantic Insurance Co Ltd, Renaissance Towers, Budget Car Rental, Princess Hotel & Casino, Koch Muammer & Celebrity Restaurant, Radisson Hotel, Best Western Biltmore, E-Zone Belize, Speednet Communications, Diversified Life Solutions, Barrow & Co LLP, Ayinha Adventures and all those fans and family members who provided moral support and encouragement to the team and coaches.

The federation says that it looks forward to continue working in partnership in an effort to develop the sport of basketball in Belize.