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Exploration: is a photo series dedicated to the spirit of following one’s whim. Our members will let curiosity lead the way in searching for unique football cultures.
Editorials
Members
Commissions
Research
Image Licensing
About
Exploration: is a photo series dedicated to the spirit of following one’s whim. Our members will let curiosity lead the way in searching for unique football cultures.
FCS-ID: 017/NPS10924—591
LOCATION: COCHABAMBA, BOLIVIA
DATE: NOVEMBER 2024
FCS-ID: 017/NPS10924—591
I knew of these fields. My dad used to actually play close to these fields when I was a kid. He used to play in the Liga Bancaria beside these fields.
In Bolivia to visit family, I didn’t have much time to get about and explore but with a window of an hour and a half on one of the days, I decided to take a taxi out to the fields to see what I could find.
As the driver pulled up to the fields, I could already see all the families and the mix of different cultures at play- a real display of what Bolivia is all about.
The teams playing consisted of kids belonging to either Wilstermann’s academy or Aurora’s academy with a few others playing for offshoot teams.
It was a beautiful experience because I wasn’t expecting to come across a youth league. The more I got to interact with folks there, the better I understood the dynamic at play. It was really cool to see the set up there, from the pitches to the academy dormitories that house players who come from out of town.
It was also interesting to witness how invested the parents were as well as the diversity on display. There were people that look like me as well as members of the indigenous communities, with mothers playing a big role on the sidelines, giving their kids advice in the way that typically dads would at games like these.
It was truly a special time. While it sucked that I only had an hour and a half to mess around, I feel like I definitely made the most of the time I had. I’ll definitely be back.”