F.f.b. Spent Half-A-Mil On Rounds 1 & 2

Ruperto Vicente

Even as that match-fixing investigation looms, the F.F.B. is coasting on an amazing victory over the Dominican Republic, and history being made as the Jaguars qualify for the Third Round of World Cup Qualifiers. The elation of the Federation is tempered by the realization that it has no money to finance preparations for or participation in the Third Round. This is the point where it is hoped that the public, and especially the Government of Belize, will step in. For the Federation there’s really no other option at this point.

Ruperto Vicente, President, Football Federation of Belize

“If you remember in my first press conference with the National Team, I said that as a Federation we would be able to finance this team up to the Second Round. After the Second Round we would have to depend on the public and the government to support our National Team. The Federation cannot do this alone. We do not have the finances to carry on this burden. It is pretty expensive. Just this morning I was looking at the finances…on the amount of money that has already been spent on the National Team. The Cayman series alone cost us two hundred and seventy-one thousand dollars. I have not gotten the total figures for the Dominican Republic series, but I’m sure it’s over two hundred thousand as well. So this is already costing us close to five hundred thousand dollars.”

Mike Rudon

“Sir the public has already helped a lot from the beginning. Minister John Saldivar is a part of the Executive of the National Team. I think he is the National Coordinator. Has any outreach been made to him? He must be aware of the situation with the finances. Has he indicated that Government may be willing to step in and help?”

Ruperto Vicente

“Certainly! I met with Minister Saldivar yesterday and we discussed the issue of financing. We’re having a meeting today where a budget for the Third Round is going to be made, and once that budget is made we’re going to be presenting that to the government and to the public. I know the Prime Minister has been very good to us that once we advance there is going to be some assistance from the government.”