2 weeks ago
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The Ministry of Youth and Sports is launching an innovative new initiative to address a pressing manpower shortage in youth programs by recruiting retired military personnel as coaches and program facilitators. This strategic partnership with the Ministry of Defence and Border Security is looking to boost the quality of sports and youth development across the country. Minister of Youth and Sports Anthony Mahler announced the new project, highlighting its focus on improving standards for student-athletes at the primary and high school levels. The ministry plans to expand sports programs in schools, but this would require an increase in the number of trained and certified personnel to lead them. To fill this gap, Minister Mahler has been in discussions with Minister of Defence and Border Security Oscar Mira about leveraging the skills of ex-military personnel. These individuals are expected to bring not only their physical training expertise but also their ingrained sense of discipline, leadership, and mentorship to young Belizeans.
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism, Youth and Sports: “We have an idea that we’re working on. We believe that people in the military, they retire young and some who are still in the service, they have the discipline, they’re in shape and I’ve spoken to Minister Daley and I’ve spoken to Minister Mira and Minister Requena on how we can move that idea forward in terms of having the federations would then train those individuals and then they would go into the schools. Most BDF I think the retirement age is somewhere around 44 or something like that, right? They’re still young and they can, better they go into the schools and teach rather than… nothing is wrong with it, to me it’s better for them to be in the schools rather than being a security guard outside of a Chinese shop or a bar. So that is one of the ideas that we’re talking around with to see how we can structure that program. I’ve also spoken to the Peace Corps again to expand that program some more. I think they’re close to 46 Peace Corps doing PE in primary schools across the country. You have a lot less high schools, so I think a high school program would be easier for us to accomplish providing the necessary training and the environment for people to, and our students to be able to hone their skills.”
According to Minister Mahler, the initiative is part of a broader push to elevate the standard of sports in Belize to create a strong foundation for future athletic success. He noted that the disciplined and structured approach of retired military coaches is seen as a key component in this effort, providing students with the guidance needed to excel both in their sport and in their personal lives.
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