Juan Fernando Orrego and a group of sports organizers staged a flash volleyball tournament in Palestina, gathering eight teams from the urban center, Chinchiná, Santágueda, Arauca, and La Plata with competitors ranging from 15 to 40 years old, La Patria reported.
Volunteers Build Local Tournament from Grassroots Enthusiasm
The event stemmed from a lack of spaces for the discipline and the grassroots enthusiasm of local participants. Orrego, an electrical technologist and sports enthusiast, began gathering with friends to play volleyball roughly two years ago. The group initially utilized a simple rope for a net before expanding to roughly 40 participants coordinating through WhatsApp.
After running a seven-team predecessor event three months prior, organizers secured space, balls, nets, and logistical support for the latest competition. Councillor Gustavo Ríos supplied trophies and medals for the tournament awards ceremony at the Palestina Municipal Coliseum.
Santágueda Squad Captures the Championship
The tournament title went to the Santágueda team, which consisted entirely of young players who are still completing their school studies, according to Orrego. Organizers plan to stage similar tournaments every three months, with intentions to bring the competition to Santágueda and other surrounding sectors.
Organizer Plans to Establish Official Volleyball Sports Club
Beyond competitive results, the initiative aims to provide an alternative for athletes who do not identify with soccer or microfútbol. Orrego’s objective is to establish an official volleyball sports club in Palestina to structure the sport’s development and open new pathways for local competitors. His previous athletic background includes judo and basketball, though he noted that judo lacked sufficient institutional backing in the municipality.
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