Sports in Belize: 4 Facts That Will Impress Your Friends

Sports in Belize

Are you ready for a good time with Sports in Belize?

Are you interested in Sports in Belize? If so, you’re in luck! Belize is not only a beautiful place, it’s an exciting one. And not only for adventures you can have on your own, but sporting events that take place throughout the year. That’s because this beautiful country boasts some of the best weather all year around.

Now, if you’re looking to engage in or watch sports in Belize the most popular ones are football (soccer to any of you Americans), bicycling, and canoeing. So let’s see what they’re all about, shall we?

Fact #1: Cycling Season is Year Round

Cycling in Belize

Biking is a fun pastime for anyone, right? In Belize, it’s not just about a meandering through town and exploring (though that can be a whole lot of fun too). It’s about the races. Check out the Belize Cycling Federation’s YouTube Channel to see the races in action!

Major Bicycle Races

There are plenty of races going on throughout the country year-round. The most popular race is the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, held every year since 1928. But it’s by far not the only one.

There’s also the KREM New Years’ Day Cycling Classic and the Labor Day Classic. Plus the National Road Championship, the World AIDS Day Classic and a whole lot more. Each race has its own rules and routes, but let’s take a look at that Holy Saturday race, shall we?

This biggest event of the cycling circuit in Belize features over 100 cyclists and is considered a national symbol. The race travels across 140 miles of roads from Belize City to San Ignacio Town and back again. And it’s all because of … what else? Curiosity.

Interesting Racing Fact

In fact, the original race in 1928 wasn’t even a full race. It was all about Belizeans who traveled the long distance simply to check out the town and to get out on their bikes. And now, over 90 years after those initial rides, it’s something truly special to the people who live here. Special enough that experienced riders and amateurs join together for the race. For more information about Belize bicycling events: https://www.facebook.com/belizecycling/

But even if you don’t want to participate, it can be a great time. Spectators abound throughout the race area with plenty of cheering and excitement.

Fact #2: It’s All About Football!

Football team

Football (aka Soccer in the U.S.) is popular throughout the world, but in Belize the main version is association football. It’s actually known as the main spectator sport for the country. And there’s a reason for that. It’s exciting to sit there in the stands and cheer on your team, right?

Belize first got involved in football somewhere around the middle of the 20th century in amateur competitions. But that quickly progressed to a semi-professional league in 1991, and now the Belize Premier Football League.

Belize Premier Football League

The Premier Football League season starts in July of each year and goes through the middle of the following year. If you’re paying attention, that means that football season is nearly year-round in Belize. And why wouldn’t it be, with such great weather to enjoy?

While the Premier League hasn’t done so well on the international front that doesn’t mean that the games aren’t fun or interesting. And besides, the team does quite well at regional levels and club levels, so there’s definitely plenty to cheer for.

There are actually eight teams in the league for the current season. The teams include; Altitude, Belmopan Bandits, Benque Viejo United, Port Layola, Progresso, San Pedro Pirates, Verdes, and Wagiya. Each hailing from a different beautiful area of Belize, you can choose which is your favorite to root for. For additional information: https://www.footballfederationbelize.com/

Two Football Teams in Cristo Rey!

Football is so popular that most of the small villages have teams.  Even though our village is small (@750 population) we field two teams. Our two teams are, the men’s team – Cristo Rey Crowns, and a women’s football team – Cristo Rey Fusion. They compete more locally with other village teams.

Fact #3: The River is where the Sports in Belize Action Is!

La Ruta Maya

Of course, we can’t talk about sports in Belize without mentioning canoeing, and specifically the La Ruta Maya Canoe Race.

This race takes place over the course of four days and covers 170 miles on the Belize River. It takes a lot of strength and stamina to finish the race. As many as 100 teams from throughout the world have come to Belize to participate.

La Ruta Maya details

This amazing race actually has four different stages. Each of these stages are named for the ending area of the race on that particular day.

The race starts on Day one in San Ignacio and ending in Banana Bank

Day two starts in Banana Bank and ending in Double Head Cabbage

Double Head Cabbage is where Day three starts, and then ends in Burrell Boom

Day four starts in Burrell Boom and ending at BelChina Bridge

Check out the Official La Ruta Maya website for more information

There are different categories of entrants including amateurs, family teams, all female teams, junior paddlers, professionals and more!  This makes the race accessible to everyone.  Our small Cristo Rey Village has fielded the winning team in the family category several years in a row!  We sponsored them a couple of years when they one first place. And they honored us with their trophy, which we proudly display here at Lucky Dreamer Lodge!

La Ruta May Trophy

How did the La Ruta Maya Get Started?

It’s an exciting event for the locals and tourists alike, whether you’re participating or just watching. Along the race route are fairs and markets, music and other types of entertainment, which makes it a great experience for everyone. But it actually started back in the colonial days.

Now, it wasn’t exactly a race back then. But canoeing down the river was the best way to transport people and items. So there were a whole lot of canoes traveling. It only makes sense that people who traveled up and down the river for so long would find a way to make it interesting, right?

One of the other smaller races is in our Cristo Rey Village, every May, when we celebrate RiverFest! While similar canoeing events take place all over Belize, it’s La Ruta Maya that really draws the crowds.

Fact #4: Softball, Boxing & Basketball….and more Sports in Belize….. Oh My!

Volleyball

Let’s take a minute to mention some of the other great sports you’ll find in Belize, including softball, boxing, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and track and field. While each of these is played in Belize, none are quite as popular as Biking, Football or Canoeing.

Basketball

basketball

Basketball is a semi-professional sport in Belize and there are plenty of tournaments for younger children especially. It’s actually quite popular among younger demographics. As for the higher level, the local teams have made it to regional championships but never the Olympics. An interesting fact is that several native Belizeans have played in the United States, even at the NBA level. These include:

  • Nigel Miguel who played for UCLA
  • Milt Palacio who played for the Utah Jazz
  • Charles Burgess who played for Texas Tech
  • Kenton Paulino who played for University of Texas

Track & Field, Boxing, Softball, Volleyball & Tennis

track & field

The Amateur Athletics Association runs Track and field with an outdoor track at the Marion Jones Sports Complex.

BAAA Logo

Boxing is somewhat of a niche sport with very few participants, and only amateur cards. Belize even boasts an IBF and WBO junior middleweight champion, Verno Phillips.

Softball for men and women is slowly starting to gain more of a following, with this sport actually being one where Belize does the best abroad.

Volleyball has been a popular sport in Belize since the 1960s. The sport is particularly popular among the country’s youth. Belize has a national volleyball team which has competed in international competitions. The Belize Volleyball Association, founded in 1993, is the governing body for the sport and is responsible for organizing and promoting competitions. In addition, the association provides training for coaches and referees, and organizes tournaments for youth and adults.

And finally, tennis is a relatively new sport for the country, at least at the legal level, having only applied for status in 2011. Still, it’s starting to gain a following and plenty of participants as well.

Summary

Sports in Belize are both a source of entertainment and a way of life. From the traditional sports of basketball, volleyball, and football to the mighty La Ruta Maya Canoe Race, Belize has something for everyone. The country boasts a number of professional and semi-professional teams, making sports in Belize an exciting and exhilarating experience. So if you’re looking to add a sporting event to your next vacation, look no further than Belize!

For Belize Travel Tips check-out some of our other Blog Posts:

Important Facts About Belize that Might Surprise You

 Top 7 Insider Belize Travel Tips

Arrived in Belize! Now What? Belize Travel Tips to Know



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