No, this is nothing to do with the “COLBY run prison”; but it is about “COBY” (without the “L”), as in the “Coby Foundation”, whose chairman and CEO Evondale “Coby” Coburn is on one of his regular visits home. Coby arrived in Belize last Thursday and expects to return to the U.S. this coming Monday, June 22.
A popular and charismatic basketball player of champions Old Parr, and a member of the 1972 Belize National Basketball Team before he migrated to the U.S., the Foundation is Coby’s brainchild and his way of giving back to his old hometown.
On this visit, Coby is hosting two days of activities at Bird’s Isle, and he says he is receiving a lot of assistance from Brads Neal, vice president of the B.B.F. (Basketball Federation of Belize), in organizing and coordinating the events.
Friday, June 19, is a Players Reunion day, and Coby is inviting all former C.Y.O. and B.A.B.A., (Belize Amateur Basketball Association) players for a get together between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the Bird’s Isle basketball court. According to Coby, though he lives in the States, he is always thinking about Belize, and he would just like to “link-up, renew old acquaintances, maybe shoot a few hoops, and perhaps share some ideas on ways we can assist the youths.”
The program for Saturday, June 20, starts with Under 12 and Under 15 male basketball competitions from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Two presentations, a “History of CYO Basketball in Belize” at 12:30 p.m. and a “Tribute to Old Parr and Former CYO BBall players” at 1:00 p.m. will be followed at 3:00 p.m. with a “Donation of school supplies to a school designated by Coby”. Then at 3:30 p.m. the Under 18 basketball competition commences. There will be “many more prizes and surprises” awarded, and all sporting fans are invited to attend.
On his visit to the Zinc Fence this morning, Coby also dropped off a few books on African and Mayan history for the UEF (UBAD Education Foundation) Library, and said he plans to pay another visit in September of this year. Old teammates, friends or anyone seeking information on the Coby Foundation can contact Coby at 624-3804.