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In Bolivia, unions of coca planters have elected former president Evo Morales as president of the first division football club Palmaflor, one of its leaders announced on Thursday.
After the presidency of Bolivia, Evo Morales begins a new life. He was elected Thursday, January 19 at the head of the first division football club Palmaflor.
“As president of the Palmaflor team, we have our brother Evo Morales Ayma”, president of Bolivia from 2006 to 2019, said Roly Jaldin, member of the Carrasco Tropical Coca Producers Federation, in the center of the country.
Evo Morales mentioned last year a project to acquire the club without specifying his future functions. Six unions of coca harvesters, of which the former left-wing president is the undisputed leader, also negotiated the free takeover of the football club last year.
Very honored and grateful for the trust of sisters and brothers of the 6 Federations of the Tropics who give us the responsibility of presiding over the soccer team of our town, Palmaflor. It is a great challenge that we assume with hope and humility. pic.twitter.com/mBWZtP2Wh9
— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) January 19, 2023
Evo Morales, 63, is himself a former cocalero peasant (coca producer) from the Amerindian minority of the Aymaras. Bolivia’s first indigenous president, he resigned in 2019, under pressure from opposition protests challenging his re-election for a fourth term.
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“We already have a board formed, which will lead and manage the entire Palmaflor team,” added Roly Jardin.
An illustrious board of directors
Among its members, most of whom belong to the coca growers union, is the president of the Bolivian Senate, Andronico Rodriguez, a coca grower. The team’s sporting director will be Tito Montano, a former soccer player and Minister of Sports under President Morales.
Palmaflor belonged to small gold traders based in the town of Quillacollo (center). The club relocated to Villa Tunari, in Chaparé, a rural region where coca is grown. Its “Bicentenario” stadium has a capacity of 25,000 spectators.
Palmaflor is my term 5e of the Bolivian championship last season and participates in the Copa Sudamericana. They will face another Bolivian club, Blooming, in the first leg of the first phase of the competition on March 9.
With AFP
