Editor’s note:Â The following article is an original piece sent in by Leno-Rose Avila, a friend of the Tribuno del Pueblo and People’s Tribune.Â
Diana Flores, a slight woman with jet-black long hair, is a quarterback for Mexico’s women’s flag football team. She won the gold and the world championship at the World Games, an Olympic-style event, beating out an outstanding USA team in a close and tight game. In the final seconds of the game, the victory anthem “Cielo Lindo” was sung from the stands. The Mexican women’s squad made history in their flag football debut at this global competition. After winning, Ms. Flores exclaimed, “It’s a dream come true for me, for the entire team, and for the flag football community in Mexico.”
“We’ve always been among the top, and today we’ve shown that the best flag football in the world is played in our country. This marks the beginning of a new era.” Diana said in a statement. “I am very proud of what each of the Mexican players did on the field. Those last seconds waiting for the game to end and taste glory were indescribable,” explains Flores.
The recent Marketing and Communication graduate from Tec de Monterrey’s Santa Fe campus confirmed that the victory showcases the level at which the sport is played across the country. Watching videos of the USA and Mexican teams in the final moments of the championship games makes one proud of these incredible athletes.
Most people in the past considered Flores too short to be a quarterback for the team. Still, she played a lot of other positions with the Aztecs and eventually took on the premier leadership position. Over the past four years, the Aztecs have been one of the top elite teams in international competition. As all athletes know, it is not easy to maintain oneself and the team at such a high level of professionalism.
This Aztec team is a well-oiled and emotionally-powered collection of the most amazing talents. This world victory is a credit to them and their coaches and families, who have never given up on them. The Mexican Team celebrated in the United States on the night of July 14 with some relatives. Diana’s parents and siblings are very important to her, and even though they could not be with her in person on this occasion, she said, “They are my motivation. I want to get back there (the Olympic Village) and talk to them on the phone,” she said.
The USA team quarterback Vanita Krouch is like Diana – competent and professional, and it is great to see these two leaders who respect each other and are ready for more games and competition.
The financial support for women’s sports when compared to that of men is an indication of sexism in sports. Women athletes should be paid what they deserve, and as the public shows more interest in women’s sports, women athletes can demand it. The sports-watching public is interested in seeing both male and female athletes excel in their respective sports. We must encourage more young girls to do their best and support them in whatever field they choose.
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