Main as much as the Worldwide Day of Sport for Improvement and Peace, which takes place on 6 April, the Worldwide Hockey Federation (FIH) will spend the upcoming days celebrating hockey’s place in selling peace and growth by way of a variety of tasks and initiatives. The tales come from throughout the 5 hockey-playing continents, with as we speak’s story coming from Pan America.
On March 8, Venezuela’s return to the Below-21 Pan American Problem in Barbados, which led to a surprising bronze medal end, marked greater than only a comeback—it was a testomony to the transformative energy of sport. After greater than a decade away from junior competitors, the nation’s hockey gamers took the sector not solely to compete however to reignite a motion that extends far past the pitch. Because the world celebrates the Worldwide Day of Sport for Improvement and Peace, Venezuela’s journey serves as an inspiring instance of how sport fosters resilience, unity, and hope for future generations.
Hockey in Venezuela has a deep-rooted historical past, tracing again to its worldwide debut on the 1983 Pan American Video games in Caracas. Over the many years, the game expanded throughout the nation, at one level thriving in 15 of Venezuela’s 24 states. Nevertheless, financial, and logistical challenges led to setbacks, limiting alternatives for younger athletes. But, regardless of the obstacles, the eagerness for hockey by no means pale.
For Venezuela, sport is greater than competitors—it’s a software for growth, a bridge to higher aspirations. Presently, almost a thousand gamers, from younger newbies to skilled athletes, have interaction in hockey. This revival of the junior nationwide staff is an emblem of perseverance, proving that even after years of absence, a dedicated effort can rekindle nationwide satisfaction and sporting ambition.
Omar Bastardo, President of the Venezuelan Hockey Federation, acknowledges the importance of this milestone. “For us, it’s a nice alternative to return to the worldwide scene as a nationwide staff, provided that we’ve not participated in any occasion since 2018, and we haven’t competed in a junior occasion since 2012,” he acknowledged. The journey again has been intense however rewarding, with restricted preparation time however an unwavering dedication to progress.
Past fast outcomes, the true victory lies within the long-term influence. The federation goals to strengthen hockey in no less than eight states, set up a Nationwide League, and finally encourage a brand new era of athletes. “We wish to have an official area devoted solely to hockey. That may be a key goal for us and a aim for the approaching years,” Bastardo emphasised. By creating sustainable infrastructure and offering constant alternatives, Venezuela is setting the inspiration for a future the place sport serves as a catalyst for private and neighborhood growth.
The facility of sport extends past competitors—it unites communities, instills values of teamwork and perseverance, and offers younger individuals with pathways to brighter futures. Venezuela’s return to worldwide hockey embodies the essence of the Worldwide Day of Sport for Improvement and Peace: utilizing sport to beat challenges, encourage change, and create alternatives for all.
With a bronze medal now of their palms and a renewed sense of function, Venezuela’s hockey groups are setting their sights on the Central American and Caribbean Video games Qualifier in Mexico in Might 2025. Their journey exemplifies how sport is usually a drive for progress, resilience, and peace—a narrative that continues to unfold, step-by-step, on and off the sector.
