Back in October of 2011, some of the hardest-working athletes in Costa Rica gathered at the auditorium of the National Rehabilitation Center (CENARE in Spanish) and were sworn in as a National Team to represent our country in the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara. President Laura Chinchilla delivered the oath to the assembled volleyball players and off they went to Mexico.

Once in the historical and populous city of Guadalajara, the players took the court, sat down, and beat the host and favorite Mexican team three sets to one. This was a momentous victory for Costa Rica, as the Men’s Sitting Volleyball National Team had never before won an international match. It was their first win overseas in a major tournament.

The Sitting Volleyball National Team is very active on Facebook. Prior to leaving for Guadalajara, they left the following message on their Timeline:

“We are just days away from the inauguration of the IV Pan American Games for Paralympic Athletes. We are going to give it our best for our country, no excuses. We know that the future is not always certain, but our determination isn’t, and it is with that determination that we will face the future.”

That was on November 7^th. In Guadalajara, the gold medal was earned by the Brazilian team, followed by the United States and Canada. On November 29^th, our brave national team posted the following Facebook update:

“We want to thank God, our families and the Paralympic Committee of Costa Rica for granting us the opportunity to represent our country. We gave it all and we know that we can do better in the future, we just need more support. We also greatly thank, with all our heart, all those who supported us and believed in us. We hope that we did not let you down. We will go forth and work harder than ever, and we hope that you will support us in this loving commitment we have with our country.”

These volleyball players may live with disabilities, but their hearts are intact and in the right place.

In 2012, the team has thus far kept its promise and is hoping to travel and to Colombia later. They have been busy recruiting new players who share their disabilities. At a recent workshop in San Pedro de Poas (the hometown of Miss Teen Costa Rica Julissa Castro), the team invited the public to an exhibition in order to raise awareness of their efforts. They also work with physical therapy students who attend local universities.

In a telephone interview with The Costa Rica Star this morning, coach Carlomagno Saenz explained that the team will not participate in the 2012 London Paralympic Games. They have to meet certain requirements imposed by the International Paralympic Committee, and these demands are greater than those imposed on athletes without disabilities. Mr. Saenz explained that the team is actively looking for new players to augment, as well as funding. They have been invited to play at a tournament in Colombia later this year, but they lack the budget that is usually allocated to other athletic activities. The team wishes to represent Costa Rica in as many international events as possible, but once again the constraints placed on paralympic athletes get in the way.

If you would like to support the National Sitting Volleyball Team, you can follow them on Facebook or deposit a donation into the account set up for this purpose:

Banco de Costa Rica (BCR)

Asociacion Deportiva Comite Paralimpico Integral

• 001-02-40138
• 1520-1001-0240-13808 (SINPE for online bank transfers)

In other volleyball news, the National Women’s Volleyball Team lost against Puerto Rico after three straight sets played in Tijuana on Wednesday. Team captain Verania Willis told NORCECA reporters that the serves by the Boricuas were deadly against the Ticas. This tournament serves as a qualifier for the upcoming 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London. Costa Rica is now in the quarter finals.