Belize is playing in the medal round of the 2009 COCABA Championships. That is a huge development but before we tell you how it happened, we have a game update.

The game against Costa Rica tipped off at 4:30 pm Belize time and Belize won just a few minutes ago, dominating Costa Rica100 to 71.

As the winner of this game, Belize advances to the Gold Medal game against either Mexico or Panama which will be played tomorrow night.

And what’s it like inside The Benito Juarez Poliforum? Keith Swift had this interview with the assistant coach Darrell Bovell and defensive specialist Gene Myvette at halftime

Gene Myvett, Forward
“The first half it was suitable, it wasn’t to our liking you know we’re our biggest critic. If we don’t play good if we’re not playing good even though we’re up, we still gotta pick it up.”

Keith Swift
“You feel your 10 point lead right now is comfortable?

Gene Myvett

"No, no, no, not at all. We gotta keep playing hard, we gotta push the lead, we gotta have a sense of urgency, that energy that push that we normally have in each game.”

Darren Bovell, Asst. Coach
“The first half, we weren’t really impressed with the ending of the first half. We came out playing very well in the first quarter and then we slack off a bit in the second quarter. I think we need to tighten up our inner defense because number 14 for them has 17 points, so that’s a something that we have to change.

Keith Swift
“You’re up by 10. Are you comfortable with that lead?"

Darren Bovell
"No that’s not a comfortable lead. That team can play ball. Our intention is to come out and try and build on this lead so we have a cushion if they make a run.”

That was halftime and as promised by those two gentlemen, in the second half Belize upped its performance and went unto win by 29, 100 to 71. As so, winning this game, Belize qualifies for the gold medal game against either Mexico or Panama. We’ll have more from the game later on in the newscast.

But how did it even get to this, Belize playing in the medal round? When we left you last night the fate of the team was up in the air; it wasn’t clear if Belize was going to be allowed to advance to the next round. Officially, none of our victories had been awarded points and the tournament website didn’t show our results; neither did it show a schedule for The Belize team to play in the medal round; it was as if we were playing as ghosts.

But at a technical meeting this afternoon in Cancun, Tournament Organizer Enrique Basulto confirmed that Belize will be allowed to play in the medal round. He got the go-ahead from FIBA Americas Secretary General Alberto Garcia. And that go-ahead was granted because Belize filed and paid a deposit to secure an appeal at FIBA headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. It was a huge relief for the Belize Basketball Federation because that was the first word of encouragement; from the delegation arrived at the tournament it had been nothing but “bad vibes” from the organizers.

The appeal makes it clear that Belize’s challenge is based first on the official interpretation and application of the constitution of Belize that - and we quote directly from the appeal document:

“all persons of Belizean parentage whether born in or outside of Belize, before or after Independence Day, shall become citizens of Belize at birth.”

It’s a strong point, but there’s been no decision on that appeal – in fact it has not been heard, it is only formally filed. In fact - and this is the important part - the position is that Belize is being allowed to play pending the outcome of that appeal. If we win gold, silver or bronze we can only keep the medals if we win the appeal; if we lose the appeal, then we would have to return whatever medals and recognition we earned.

It’s consequential because the top three finishers in this tournament qualify for the Centrobasket tournament which is a larger tournament.

But that’s the politics of basketball, right now, the game’s the thing and Belize is aiming for gold.

The Ministry of Sports has already announced that there will be a motorcade on Saturday afternoon when the team returns from Cancun. The route has not yet been announced but it will be followed by a rally at the City Center.