Athletic Spirit Crosses Borders: A Tale of Community and Empowerment in Peru

The Athletic spirit knows no borders or distances. Over 9,500 kilometers from San Mamés, in the Lima district of Villa El Salvador, the ‘Leonas del Arenal’ roar with pride. This past Friday, the Palacio de Ibaigane welcomed three representatives from the VillaGol & Bizkaia Koopera initiative, a program that merges football with solidarity in one of Peru’s most vulnerable contexts.

The historical connection between Bilbao and this human settlement in Lima has deep roots. Visits from Athletic legends such as Carlos Gurpegui in 2008 and Óscar de Marcos in 2013 sowed the seeds that have since flourished into Athletic Villa, a team that proudly wears the iconic red and white jersey. Currently, the project enhances the lives of 150 registered girls and impacts over 3,000 children each season, providing a vital alternative to gang violence and drug involvement through the power of football.

Juan Abanto, the founder of Athletic Villa, along with players and coaches Gianela Alvarado and Cecibel Zevallos, were warmly received by the club’s management and representatives from the Diputación Foral de Bizkaia. The aim of their visit extends beyond mere institutional ties; the Peruvian delegation seeks to gain insights into sports methodology and child protection, ensuring that Lima’s dirt fields become safe spaces for women.

Supported by the ‘Deporte y Desarrollo’ association and the Bizkaia Koopera program, this initiative exemplifies how Athletic’s ‘Unique in the World’ ethos transcends the realm of sports.