SPORTS NEWS
CHILE PREPARES FOR THEIR FIRST SOCCER
TOURNAMENT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
By ALEXA RENFROE
CHILE PREPARES FOR THE FIRST COPA AMERICANA OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES THAT IS SET TO TAKE
PLACE IN JULY.
CHILE — The indigenous, or aboriginal population of Latin
America refers to the people who originated here, in other
words, they are native. Although a lot of native people are now
mixed into different cultures, many Chileans are descendants
of the Mapuche tribe.
The teams selected to take part in the Copa Americana were
chosen by a group of ministers including Heraldo Muñoz,
Minister of Foreign Affairs; Marcos Barraza, Minister of Social
Development; Ernesto Ottone, Minister of Culture; and Natalia
Riffo, Minister of Sports.
With many countries planning on participating, the ministers
hope the event will promote diversity and acceptance of
different cultures.
“As part of the National Council of Culture and the Arts, we
believe this tournament will be a success, because it is related
to inclusion, the recognition of diversity, and the importance
for Chile and the guest countries to understand we are a
mestizo society. We seek to leave aside all existing differences,
” said Ernesto Ottone, Minister of Culture.
“We are mestizos, we are indigenous, we are original people.
This diversity enriches us, and we want to highlight that
characteristic in a very special way,” Heraldo Muñoz added.
This event will be held at a continental level, with national
teams from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador,
Mexico, Paraguay, and Perú. Santiago and Arica will welcome
the teams at the start of the tournament in July.
Although there are soccer powerhouses competing in the
sporting event, the Chilean team has Mapuche members that
received third place in the National Football Championship
of Original Peoples. The Chilean team will also have backup
players from Aymara and Rapa Nui teams.
The minister’s draw concluded that Group A of the bracket will
include teams from Chile, Perú, Paraguay and Mexico. Group B
will include teams from Argentina, Colombia, and Bolivia.
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