Mara Lezama Reopens Chetumal Sports Palace

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — In what was described as a grand sporting festival enjoyed in a great family atmosphere, Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa presided over the reopening of the emblematic "Erick Paolo Martínez" Sports Palace in Chetumal. The event was marked by the celebration of an international, friendly, professional match between the team El Calor de Cancún and the Belize National Team.

"Chetumal had to wait 20 years for a professional international event. Thank you for joining us, legends of sport. This different government has made a great investment because it believes in sport—more than 160 million pesos in different parts of Chetumal so that athletes can play on dignified courts," expressed the head of the Executive branch during the inaugural ceremony.

At the opening event, Governor Mara Lezama was accompanied by the Minister of Human Development, Family Support, and Gender Affairs of Belize, Thea García Ramírez, who was representing the Prime Minister of Belize, John Briceño. Also in attendance was José Luis Kelly, the Honorary Consul of Belize in Chetumal.

This sports facility was rescued through the Quintana Roo Sports Commission (CODEQ), presided over by Jacobo Arzate Hop, and the Secretariat of Public Works (SEOP), headed by José Lara. The project represented an investment of more than 15.9 million pesos and will benefit more than 12,000 users in the state capital.

The protocol for the encounter began with the presentation of the players from both teams, accompanied by lights and music. Subsequently, the national anthems of Mexico and Belize were performed. Following the initial tip-off, conducted by Governor Mara Lezama, the match commenced. The game was energized by the present fans, whose enthusiasm made the venue rumble.

The "fast-break sport" festival extended to the surroundings of the venue. To accommodate fans who could not access the Sports Palace, a large screen was installed, allowing them to watch the encounter live and also experience professional basketball.

Another attraction was the appearance of the mascot "Flama 33," whose antics made the fans laugh and left a lasting memory for all who attended the event. The occasion also featured the presentation of Chetumal-born player Luis Armando Sandoval Arjona, an athlete with 17 years of experience in the discipline who has been training with El Calor de Cancún for more than three months.

Attendees in the presidium included deputies Eric Arcila Arjona and Alexa Murguía Trujillo, the president of the State Congress's Sports Commission; the municipal president of Othón P. Blanco, Yensunni Martínez Hernández; Elda María Xix Euán, Secretary of Education; Jacobo Arzate Hop, president of CODEQ; Roberto Alvarado, general director of El Calor de Cancún; and Jacob Leslie, President of the Belize Basketball Federation.