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Belize City youth and residents can now look forward to several weekends of family-oriented fun and unity as the William Dawson Basketball Tournament continues at Bird’s Isle in the old capital. LOVE News Rafael Roberts has the story.
Raphael Roberts, Love News: The William Dawson Cup, formerly the Sprite DigiLive Life Basketball Tournament, kicked off this year’s season on October 10th with 20 teams. In the tournament’s 10th year it has seen growth from eight teams to an additional twelve in this year’s opening. The tournament is backed by the Honorable Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, and welcomes its partners.
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs: “This tournament helps develop skills that matter. Teamwork, discipline, leadership, anger management, and conflict resolution. Sports also helps young people build confidence, create a sense of belonging, and stay engaged in something positive. Events like this contribute to safer, more connected communities. This is a key part of our strategy at the ministry. I am aware that there are some 20 teams. I believe Douglas said that 30 wanted to enter but we only had space for 20. But 20 teams competing across three months and Hard Rock, if you know that name, that name is rough. Hard Rock has been dominating for a few years. So will this be the year of Lords Bank? Survivor Ballers, IG Ballers, or Tough Enough? Will they take the championship? We won’t know until the end but thank you for showing what commitment looks like. Continue to play hard, support each other, and carry on the legacy of brother William Dawson forward with pride.”
Raphael Roberts, Love News: Andrew Dawson, interim director of the Leadership Intervention Unit, LIU and brother of the late William Dawson, former director, spoke on the tournament’s impact.
Andrew Dawson, Interim Director, Leadership Intervention Unit: “The William Dawson Basketball Tournament has long been a powerful vehicle for growth and teaching discipline, resilience, teamwork and leadership. These are the very qualities we aim to nurture through our programs and initiatives at the Leadership Intervention Unit and the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries. Events like these are where it all comes together. We strive towards making and creating safe spaces where individuals can excel towards their maximum potential. This tournament is also an honor to the legacy of my dear brother, William Dawson, a name that reminds us of the power of purpose, vision and community driven leadership. I can only now remember and be driven by the sacrifices that William made to ensure initiatives, programs and activities such as this tournament and many other programs available through the Leadership Intervention Unit for the development of our communities. It is in that spirit that we gather today to cheer, to uplift and to invest in our youth through both sports and support which is needed now more than ever in these trying times.”
Raphael Roberts, Love News: The William Dawson basketball tournament is scheduled to take place on Saturdays and Sundays over the next three months. Reporting for Love News, Rafael Roberts.
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