Crisstian Villicana

There are 50 students, but just 12 of them will fly to Peru.

The Diestro Soccer Down team, composed of Tijuana athletes with Down Syndrome, will represent Mexico in the World Championship Futsal Down in Lima Peru next month.

According to Cristian Acosta, director and coach of Soccer Down, the team started four years ago at El Romero Manzo field in the Otay area. Acosta got inspired by one of his friends that has Down Syndrome.

Acosta noticed how the sport can help them out on a social level.

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He noticed how the sport can help them out on a social level. The only obstacle to their growth was Covid; now, there are 50 students with different skills and ages, but just 12 of them will fly to Peru.

The expenses to make it to the World Cup – from uniforms to air tickets –will be raised through events, raffles, or competitions.

“We are struggling a bit with uniforms."

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“We are struggling a bit with uniforms; we found some support with businessmen from town because we don’t like how the government manages inclusion. We’ll be leaving on March 30 and we still have issues with buying flights for two players. Every player on the team needs $1,500 USD, so we are constantly coming up with ideas to gather money or get sponsored.”

Before their departure to Peru they’ll have a chance to prove themselves in a regional game that will take place in Tijuana from March 21 to March 25. Josue Navarro, one of Acosta's students, showed to be excited.

Sometimes Acosta pays the coaches from his own pockets.

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“I feel so happy to go to a World Cup. We want to bring the cup home. I want everyone with the syndrome to get motivated because we can have bigger and bigger dreams.”

Acosta dreams of having a school. Most of the players are not studying.

The coaches are being paid by fundraising, but sometimes Acosta pays from his own pockets. He charges families 300 pesos ($15 USD) monthly,

"I have so many more magical moments with these kids."

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“Moms that used to keep the kids in their house all day. They can’t take them out, except to the soccer field.

"I have been told: 'I’d never seen my son doing that.' Some mothers are learning that their sons have not the limitations they thought.”

For Silvia Navarro, mother of Josue, one of the team’s select players, explained that she was one of those mothers that kept her son at home just helping her around the house, but now Silvia has changed her mind about giving Josue more freedom and trust.

“They are pretty capable, I would like to see more parents bringing their kids, and not just to play soccer, they also can dance or do basketball. Imagine how many talents are hidden in their houses.”

Acosta: “If people get informed and change their perspective regarding this syndrome, doors of inclusion will be more open for these kids. We think we learn more from them than them from us. I have so many more magical moments with these kids than ever in my years of coaching.”