Colombian footballers above a table football game. |
Colombia's relationship with what is its popular national sport, if not its official one (which is tejo), has been complex: marked by scandal, tragedy, violence and more than a fair share of disappointment - but always lots of passion.
Bogotá's National Museum has an exhibition called 'A nation made from football' which touches on many of these themes, altho it focuses on the national team's victories and disappointments on the field.
And disappointment. 'It's over.' |
Colombia really should be up there with Argentina and Brazil on the international rankings: Colombia's has the population, large people, economic resources and the passion for the sport. But in internatioal competition, Colombia often falls short of its tiny neighbors Paraguay and Uruguay.
More than most nations, Colombian football has experienced drama off of the field as well as on. The most notorious incident was undoubtedly the 1994 murder in Medellin of defender Andres Escobar, a popular player whose own goal against the United States in the World Cup contributed to Colombia's elimination. Some people accused Escobar, without proof, of having been bribed to throw the game, in which Colombia was favored. Shortly after Escobar's return home he was shot to death in a Medellin nightclub's parking lot.
Pioneering women players. |
As for Colombia's current national team: it's in sixth place of the nine South American nations in the playoffs for the 2014 Brazil world cup. As things stand, Colombia wouldn't qualify - but lots of games have yet to be played.
Costa Rican women's team refused Colombian visas because they were 'immoral.' |
For that matter, the exhibition gives women's football little space, but does show that futbol femenino has come a long way since 1951, when Colombia refused visas to Costa Rica's women's team because they 'violated public morals.'
Real football. An evening futbolito match in La Candelaria. |
By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours
1 comment:
Thanks very much.
Mike
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