Demonstration in Nancagua with Ataka
Movimiento Ataka is a Chilean group, comprised primarily of freestyle footballers and breakdancers, who do both paid performances as well as benefits for children, particularly in schools in poor areas.
Sport/Life joined Ataka for a journey to Nancagua, in Chile’s VI region, in between Rancagua and Santa Cruz. We arrived at the municipal sports complex to join in the fun of a sporting event for children with disabilities.
Four teams had come together from areas around Nancagua, with basketball being the sport of choice. This was a great opportunity for both boys and girls to take part in a sporting event.
By now, like us, many of the children probably forget the final score. The reality is that in this case, sport was the real winner on the day, or moreso, through sport, all the children were able to be winners.
With the tournament finished, Ataka presented their show, with Daniel Boyle (freestyle footbag) joining freestyle footballers Camilo Morales and Diego Urzua.
It is unlikely that the children had ever seen anything like this, with each player controlling their chosen item, using their body to move around the ball or the bag and interacting together.
A huge applause was given at the completion of the show, with the children getting the chance to try the sports for themselves as well as meeting the Ataka team.
With the show over, the team visited a school for lunch. In between the gymnasium and the school, evidence of the 2010 earthquake was still clearly visible.
One of the students recalled the events, saying that his house had fallen down during the earthquake. These children show great strength of character to overcome these difficulties and show their abilities on the sporting field.
While they may not become celebrated sporting heroes, they are great achievers by simply participating in an event like the one in Nancagua.
About the Author
Daniel Boyle Founder of @sportslashlife. Australian living in Chile. Freestyle footbag player and passionate sports fan.
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