CAF received the "Tahuichi Mayor" award, maximum distinction of the Santa Cruz Academy

(La Paz, June 5^th, 2013). The Tahuichi Aguilera soccer academy recognized CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, with its maximum distinction, the "Tahuichi Mayor", for the work that the Institution has been conducting in a sustained manner for more than ten years in favor of Bolivian soccer, and for the comprehensive training for athletes that go to this training center.

In the ceremony, Roly Aguilera, President of the academy, stated that this recognition, established by the founder, Rolando Aguilera Pareja, is the most important award, mostly with a profound sentimental value for those individuals or institutions that have made of Tahuichi a close partner, and have collaborated with the growth of sports among children and youths.

At the same time, Emilio Uquillas, CAF's director representative in Bolivia, highlighted that "the entity made an excellent bet", referring to the large number of national and international trophies that the academy has achieved. "The greatest trophy is having contributed thousands of citizens who are committed to their country with discipline, perseverance, love for sports, and good health".  

The event highlighted the implementation of the first phase of the SOMOS program, Sports Network for the Development of Latin America which, in the framework of the alliance with  Right to Play International, seeks to train and certify coaches so they may apply the methodology in their daily practices, using sports as a strategy to recover human values, strengthen self-esteem and inclusion, development, and education for the beneficiaries.

Female inclusion in soccer

Aguilera pointed out that with this support, it was possible to change the taboo that soccer is just for males, and is was possible to show that it may also be an integral part of the girls development. "Ten years ago, female soccer was stigmatized, and CAF supported the academy so that it could open its doors and build gender equity. To date, close to 3,000 girls have been trained and three national championships, three international titles, and one  Copa Libertadores (Libertadores Cup) have been won".