Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay – Basilio “Bachi” Núñez, the President of the National Congress of Paraguay, was met with a chorus of boos and jeers during the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Futsal Championship, known as “Caaguazú 2026,” held this past Friday in Coronel Oviedo. The hostile reception came just before the match between Ovetense and Caacupé, and included vocal disapproval from the crowd as Núñez’s name was announced.
The incident highlights a potentially fraught relationship between the politician and segments of the Paraguayan public, and occurred amidst a broader event showcasing the nation’s passion for futsal. The championship itself is being hosted across four cities: Caaguazú (the departmental capital), Coronel Oviedo, Pastoreo, and Repatriación. The format will see the top two teams from each group advance to a single-elimination bracket, culminating in a final four tournament held entirely in Caaguazú.
According to reports from Última Hora and KontenidosPY, the boos weren’t isolated to Núñez. He was accompanied by several other officials, including the Governor of Caaguazú, Marcelo Soto. the Intendant (Mayor) of Coronel Oviedo, Marcos Benítez; and Deputy Édgar Olmedo. While the negative reaction was most pronounced towards Núñez, his presence alongside these other figures appeared to draw some of the crowd’s ire.
The atmosphere at the Estadio Municipal El Cerrito was demonstrably tense as authorities were introduced. Video footage captured by Fútbol Ovetense Canal 5, as reported by ABC, clearly shows the audible disapproval from the stands. This isn’t the first time Núñez has faced public criticism related to his connections to sports and financial dealings.
Núñez has a long-standing association with the Club 12 de Junio of Villa Hayes, having previously served as its president. In November 2024, he denied any undue influence regarding funds received by the club from the Yacyretá Binational Entity (EBY) – a significant sum totaling over G. 2.179 billion between 2021 and 2024. He maintained at the time that he was simply a fan and had only managed the club during his tenure as Intendant, beginning in 2006, with family members and allies later taking on leadership roles.
The controversy surrounding funding for Club 12 de Junio extends beyond the EBY disbursements. Recent reports indicate that the club received a substantial portion – over G. 2.548 billion – of the G. 16.984 billion transferred by the National Secretariat of Sports (SND) to the Interior Football Union (UFI) between 2024 and November 2025, representing 15% of the total funds. This has raised questions about preferential treatment and the employ of public resources.
Adding another layer to the situation, the Estadio Ovetenses Unidos in Coronel Oviedo recently underwent improvements, and its inauguration was accompanied by a friendly match featuring prominent political figures, including President Santiago Peña. This event, too, drew criticism from opposition groups alleging the use of public funds for partisan purposes. Peña himself participated in the match, donning the number 10 jersey.
The booing incident at the futsal championship opening underscores a broader climate of political scrutiny in Paraguay, particularly concerning the intersection of sports, public funds, and political influence. The “Caaguazú 2026” championship, intended to be a celebration of futsal, has instead become a backdrop for highlighting these tensions. The tournament will continue with the group stage matches, ultimately leading to the final stages in Caaguazú, but the opening day’s events have undoubtedly cast a shadow over the competition.
Fans can follow the progress of the Campeonato Nacional de Fútbol de Salón “Caaguazú 2026” through local sports outlets like Fútbol Ovetense Canal 5 and national news sources such as Última Hora and KontenidosPY for updated scores, schedules, and coverage. The next confirmed event is the continuation of the group stage matches across the four host cities, with details available on the tournament’s official channels.
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