News reaching The San Pedro Sun this week revealed that San Pedro's
semi-professional soccer team is currently under new ownership. In an
interview with Mr. Carlos Jex, Director of Finance at the Medical
University of the Americas - Belize (MUAB), he stated that he and MUAB
President Dr. Jeffrey Sersland are now the co-owners of the San Pedro
SeaHawks.
Jex explained that he and Sersland came to the decision following a
series of meetings and discussions with the team and other related
personnel. "We wanted to do something for San Pedro, to be part of a
more family-oriented project which would benefit the community," he
commented. Jex stated that owner Jorge Varela accepted their offer and
had recently "signed the papers," giving them ownership. Varela
purchased the former SP Turquoise in the spring of 2003 from Owner
Fully Hoare who had catapulted the island team from an eighth place
position into the top four teams in the Belize Premier Football League
the previous season. Varela re-named the team the San Pedro SeaHawks.
According to Jex, as a show of good faith to the community, they
have just finished refurbishing Ambergris Stadium. "We had about 24
guys working on the project - rebuilding bleachers and painting
everything - right down to the bathrooms," he exclaimed.
Questioned whether MUAB was part of the "deal," since the SeaHawks'
jerseys now sport a MUAB logo, Jex replied that the University merely
sponsors the team.
According to Jex, the SeaHawks will soon enjoy all new comforts
when they travel to the mainland for "away" games. He explained, "Team
members will travel by plane to the city and then board an air-
conditioned Greyhound bus sporting the Sea-Hawks logo that we purchased
for them."
In addition, the new owners have hired a professional soccer coach
to assist with the SeaHawks' training over the next few weeks.
Reportedly, well-known Guatemalan City coach Marco Julio Rivera Bravo
arrived on the island Wednesday, to bring the team to a "new level of
professionalism." "The team is at a critical point in the season and
this man came highly-recommended," said Jex. "He is not being paid
either - he is doing it for Belize!" The SeaHawks owners will
reportedly provide all accommodations and expenses for the Guatemalan
coach.
Jex stated that future plans include more improvements to Ambergris
Stadium, which will include all new bleachers and replanting a new
grass surface on the playing field.
"All that is left is for us to do is to register as owners with the
BPFL, and then for the San Pedro SeaHawks to win more games!" Jex ended.
The SeaHawks are currently in 4th place in the Belize Premier
Football League. At press time, Jorge Varela could not be reached for
comment on the sale.
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