Sports in Belize – A Complete Guide

December 5, 2024
by belizehubstaff +

While the Belize sports scene doesn’t get as much attention as nations whose athletes wind up gaining international fame as a result of competitions that produce superstars and Olympic contenders, Belize exhibits plenty of pride and enthusiasm when it comes to local and national teams and sports organizations.

To prove the point, the list of professional organizations supporting athletics in Belize is growing. In addition to the National Sports Council, an Olympic committee, Amateur Athletics Association (AAA), Belize Basketball Association, Football Association of Belize and other groups attest to the nation’s love of athletics.

Supported by a government eager to encourage competitive sports throughout every strata of society, Belize’s growing number of stadiums, arenas and other sporting facilities bring together amateurs, professionals and competitors from near and far to accommodate events. How expansive is the nation’s list of popular sports? Decide for yourself.

Football: This international mainstay is as popular and well supported in Belize as it is abroad and throughout Central and South America. Kids love it and are raised to appreciate the skills and conditioning required to play. Venues extend to unlikely spots that include sandy beaches and empty fields. Competitive soccer at university serves as a gateway for serious athletes and enthusiasm can reach a fever pitch for folks who can’t get enough of this dynamic sport.

Track and field: Overseen by the AAA, Belize is fast becoming a hot spot for track and field events as evidenced by attendance at the Marion Jones Sports Complex located in Belize City. Who is Marion Jones? The nation’s revered native-born track and field superstar whose Olympic medals brought both fame and enthusiasm for the sport to the nation. Jones remains a powerful role model for runners of all ages.

Basketball. There’s a reason a Belize Basketball Federation exists. Belizeans are so wild about it, basketball is called the second most popular sport in the nation. There are leagues for all ages: from mini events for little kids to junior, senior amateur, primary and senior high school games, plus one for players over 35. Both Central American and Caribbean regional games have been staged in Belize and they draws crowds, especially exhibition games played by U.S. basketball pros.

Softball. This U.S.-originated sport has taken the remainder of the American continent by storm and Belize is no exception. Districts compete on varying levels to identify the year’s hottest team, at which point a national championship is played with teams garnering both respect and fame. Competing in Central American and Caribbean tournaments, Belize has been making a name for itself as an up-and-comer, and softball teams throughout the nation are equal opportunity organizations since both men and women are active participants.

Cycling. Given Belize’s comfortable temperatures year round and the nation’s eclectic mix of terrains, the fact that Belize is fast becoming a cycle-centric nation should come as no surprise. Building upon the rise of the sport throughout Central America, you’ll encounter races held everywhere from outdoor sports venues to the nation’s highway system. The number of internationally-known cycling events staged in Belize is growing. The nation’s most high-profile event – the Holy Saturday Cycling Classic – has been staged during the Easter season annually since 1928. Another favorite is the KREM New Years’ Day Cycling Classic. Will Belize ultimately become a more popular destination for professional racers? If fans get their wish, that is quite likely down the road.

Canoeing. Travelers frequenting Belize resorts can borrow water toys like canoes, kayaks and Hobie cats, but Belizeans outside the tourism scene know that canoeing has become serious business. Regularly-scheduled races are held along the nation’s expansive network of rivers. The most daunting is the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge, a 180-mile, 4-day endurance event that promotes environmental awareness, a subject that is taken very seriously by this society.

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Cricket. Because Belize was formerly known as British Honduras, it’s no surprise that England’s long occupation resulted in a legacy of activities that have deep roots in the U.K. While today’s cricket matches are most often staged in rural areas, teams sponsored by villages give cricket-playing Belizeans chances to build reputations that can lead to spots on the National Cricket Team. As a member of Division 3 of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Belize participated in the organization’s 2008 championship games and for enthusiasts who would love to repeat that victory, hope and enthusiasm remain strong.

Boxing. In concert with the Western Hemisphere’s enthusiasm for boxing that originated in the 1930s, Belize began to institute weekend matches that drew crowds and further promoted this sport. Stars have emerged over the decades in both the lightweight and welterweight categories, though only one athlete as achieved the ultimate glory: Verno Phillips. He gained notoriety winning both International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles. While other competitors enjoyed modest success in the sport, boxing is no longer a big draw in Belize where competitive team sports are the hottest tickets of all.

Tennis. Yes, there is a Belize Tennis Association (BTA) and it is also an outgrowth of the sport that was popularized during British occupation over the decades. Seeking to become a bigger player on the international tennis stage, the BTA pursued International Tennis Federation membership, but the organization’s status was not fully recognized in Belize within the sports community until 2011.