Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2025. 3:58 pm CST.
FFB, Dr Martinez strengthen alliance for national development through football
(L-R), Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Transformation Dr Osmond Martinez, left, and FFB President Sergio Chuc at the FFB Headquarters on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 – Photo Credit: FFB
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Football Federation of Belize hosted Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Transformation Dr Osmond Martinez at its Belmopan headquarters on Tuesday, spotlighting football’s growing role in national development and infrastructure.
The meeting resulted in concrete commitments to complete the long-delayed synthetic five-a-side pitch in Punta Gorda, to support a new synthetic pitch in Bella Vista, and to pursue a convention-style hotel geared toward sports tourism and elite training—all key projects in FFB’s development agenda.
According to an FFB press release, the meeting also served as a platform to reaffirm football’s contribution to national growth through strategic partnerships, youth development, and infrastructure. Dr Martinez, who also serves as Area Representative for Toledo East, met with FFB President Sergio Chuc, General Secretary Ian Jones, Technical Director Phillip Marin, and Sports Psychologist Sharon Palacio. Together, they discussed ways to leverage football as a driver of economic transformation and social progress.
“The FFB deeply values partnerships with national leaders like Dr Martinez,” the Federation stated, “whose passion and proactive leadership align with our mission to use football as a driver of transformation and national progress.”
A breakthrough came on the stalled Punta Gorda pitch, which had been delayed due to lease complications. During the meeting, Dr Martinez contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources and secured the necessary approval, unlocking the project. President Chuc pledged to complete the facility immediately to benefit Toledo’s football community.
The FFB also committed support for Dr Martinez’s proposed synthetic pitch in Bella Vista—an initiative to increase youth participation and access to structured sport in the region.
His connection to the sport is deeply personal: in his younger days, Dr. Martinez competed at the highest level of Belizean football and even represented internationally with Boca FC of Bella Vista, under the Belize Premier Football League, in the 2006 Concacaf Central American Cup. That year, the Belizean side faced formidable opposition, including Honduras’ Olimpia, Costa Rica’s Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, and Alianza FC of El Salvador — a proud moment for local club football on the regional stage.
The FFB said that, beyond facilities, the parties discussed sport’s contribution to social development and tourism. Dr Martinez pledged to help identify strategic investors in support of the Federation’s long-term vision, which includes constructing of a 100-room convention-style hotel designed to accommodate training camps, tournaments, and international visitors.
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Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2025. 3:58 pm CST. FFB, Dr Martinez strengthen alliance for national development through football (L-R), Minister of State in the Ministry of
The post FFB, Economic Transformation Minister of State Dr Osmond Martinez greenlight synthetic football pitches in PG, Bella Vista appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.