As we told you, earlier, win, lose or draw in today’s game against Costa Rica, the Ministry of Sports has already planned a motorcade to celebrate the Belize national basketball team on Saturday afternoon in Belize city.

Today Sports Minister Penner went to Cancun for the medal game. Draped in our national flag, he’s just one of hundreds of Belizean fans and he told us why he’s there.

Elvin Penner, Minister of Sports
“I do believe that the referees are blowing it as hard against the other team as they are against our team. Almost any contact that we make with the other team they are blowing a foul. But that’s understood, they are trying to frustrate us. We are the team to beat out here tonight and of course for the rest of the tournament.”

Keith Swift
“You know about all of the problems..has that been resolved?”

Elvin Penner, Minister of Sports
“It has not been resolved yet I understand that our team has appealed because initially the decision was that certain players would be able to play and since they played we have been sort of disqualified we have appealed that decision. The appeal won’t be heard for another week or two so we’re going to go out strong win the gold and then afterwards depend on the appeal to overturn their decision.”

Keith Swift
“What has the experience been like in the Poliforum, so many Belizeans making so much noise?”

Elvin Penner, Minister of Sports
“Well, the its obvious that we bring a lot of energy because we see quite a lot of Mexican fans joining us now because they want to be a part of this excitement. The drums are certainly making a big difference, they’re certainly hyping up things. I think it’s great, I think it’s wonderful to see so many Belizeans having come out to support our team.”

Belize plays for the gold medal against host country Mexico tomorrow night at 8:00 local time in Cancun.