Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at has been in Belize for only 4 years, but in that time, they've already established themselves as a religious based community outreach organization that caters to children.
One of their major focused has been to give youths an opportunity to participate in basketball training and big tournaments. So, on Sunday morning, they're organizing an all - star basketball tournament to showcase some of the young talented athletes they've worked with for months now. They are hoping that the general public will come out to the games on Sunday at the SJC gymnasium.
The leader of the local Ahmadiyya Community called us to their Belize City headquarters to tell us why you should come out:
Naveed Mangla - President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
"The reason why we have invited you today is to talk about the all-star game that's happening this Sunday. We have the talent from not only Belize City, Dangriga, Belmopan, Orange Walk, Corozal, Ladyville, and Mexico, from Chetumal. And, our league is unique in this sense that this is the only league that has kids coming from Chetumal to be part of it. You have daily tournament where the kids come, but this is unique in the sense that this is the only league where they are coming on a regular basis. This runs for 3 months, and we're almost in our 7th week right now. So, we're taking a pause from the games to have our big all-star game. So, our league is categorized in 3 categories, U-13, U-17, and U-21. We have around 30 plus teams. So, every Sunday, you have talent from all over the country, around 300 kids, gathering in SJC, and showcasing that talent. So, today, we're urging our Belizean brothers and sisters to please come and show your confidence, show your motivation, your encouragement to these youth. Many people have already promised, some of our local authorities will be there, some of the parents will be there, but we're urging more parents, relatives, friends, family, whoever you are, and you want to see some talent, please come to SJC, 8 o'clock Sunday Morning. And this will also be televised live on the The National Channel, TNC. This will be something the first time for us."
And while those youth basketball all-stars will be busy entertaining you at the Sunday games, the Ahmadiyya community wants to keep teaching youth here in Belize and parts of Mexico about the sport's fundamentals. They put together a workout camp which will be coming to a municipality near you. Here's what the head of the local community had to say about that one:
Naveed Mangla - President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
"The basketball camp, starting tomorrow from Belize City, and we have personnel, who are here from Canada. They're here from the US, professionals will be running the same league Canada, US, and other countries. So, They're coming and doing the same thing here. So, starting tomorrow, we're in Belize City, from 9 to 1 at the SJC again. Then, Monday, we're in Belmopan, Tuesday, we're in Santa Elena/San Ignacio. Wednesday, we're in Dangriga, Punta Gorda. Thursday, we're in Corozal and Orange Walk, and we finish it all up on Friday with Chetumal and Bachalar. So, we're not only doing it in Belize. I got a call yesterday from Bachalar, and they said that 150 kids are there that are ready for you to come train them. So, the Ahmadiyya baskeball league right here is becoming way bigger than we had anticipated ourselves. So, those kids that are living in these cities I've name, please go on the Ahmadiyya basketball league page on Facebook, and sign up, so that your name is confirmed. Even if you don't sign up, you show up there, and we'll take care of you."
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