When Belize met Guatemala on the MCC Grounds on Friday, September 21 last year, I was one of the half-crazy fans in the stadium who shouted their joy to the heavens when Belize struck twice in the first half to take a 2-0 lead into the locker room.
I mean, when the first goal scored, we thought it was a miracle, because we had so been used to taking 3 and 4, even in first half.
Belizeans in the stands knew the significance of the game. It was not just an international match – it was GUATEMALA we were playing.
If the first goal seemed a miracle, then the second goal seemed a God-send. It seemed to us that God Himself was smiling down on us. The energy from nationalistic, ecstatic, screaming, jumping fans in the stadium, I think, could have lit Belize City for at least a couple seconds.
What I experienced in the stands during that first half, I will never forget. You can’t buy that feeling – and we didn’t win the game. Suppose we had. I often think “what if” we had won. Son-of-a-gun!!
It is through these things that I understand how a country’s fans feel when their team beats another in the World Cup, the Olympics, or any other major international event.
Now Dr. Bertie Chimilo is telling us that we have to play our home game in our international match in Guatemala. I think Chimilio is stark, raving mad. The man obviously knows not the meaning of patriotism, nationalism or love of country.
Other citizens have spoken to me about this matter. The consensus of opinion, strongly felt, is that our Belizean team should not go to Guatemala, no matter what the cost. If fines are to be paid, then let the government pay. If FIFA bans us, fine. But Belize should not play our home game in Guatemala. Ever.
I think Chimilio is treading on thin, very thin ice. If he sends our team to Guatemala, then we will have to do something to him. It is as simple as that. We can’t tolerate no crazy man heading our national football body any more. He has exposed himself.
I have spoken. Who bex, bex.