BELVEDERE –"Sports are very important to every community,” said Wycliffe Smith Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport at the re-opening of the Cruyff Court in Belvedere Friday afternoon. “A playing field provides a good ground for physical development…” He continued,
“a playing field is a grooming zone for those who will represent our country on the regional and international stage.”
The minister officially pronounced the court open and took the first shot on goal. He was fed the ball by former Dutch footballer and now Ambassador Cruyff Foundation, Anouk Hoogendijk.
The shot was blocked.
There are more than 250 Cruyff Courts located in more than 20 countries around the world explained Niels Meijer, Director Cruyff Foundation. He explained that Johan Cruyff one of the greatest footballers in the world believed in the power of sport. Meijer continued to explain the Cruyff Foundation believes sports encourages you to become more active and more healthy. Sport also teaches how to work together to communicate and have fun.
Meijer recalled learning the pitch in Belvedere was destroyed by Irma two years ago. “We went searching for grants.” UEFA was the first to donate The Dutch ministry also help fund the repairs of the pitch.
There are plans to development the area into the Belvedere Sport Park which can accommodate six to seven sports. The basketball court can be used in addition to basketball by netball and volleyball. The Cruyff court is for both football and hockey. Behind the pitch the area is being prepared for a diamond that can accommodate both softball and youth baseball. There are plans for developing another soccer pitch and even batting gages for both the baseball and softball teams and perhaps even cricketers. There is space for a bocce ball court.
Also planned are bathrooms, changing rooms and an office for the facility coordinator.
“The rest of the park will be developed in stages,” said Mike Cornet, Director of National Sports Institute St. Maarten.
