Lack of Resources in Mexican Para-Dance

It is no secret that in Mexican sports the lack of resources for athletes is insufficient; whether it's handball, taekwondo, boxing, swimming or gymnastics (to name a few), the financial support for their development is not adequate. Adapted disciplines are no exception.

Eduardo Núñez, bronze medalist at the 2015 Para-Dance World Championships in Rome and representative of our nation at the global wheelchair dance championship in Belgium in 2017 - where he placed eighth in the competition- explains in an interview with La Afición how the scarce funds have affected his specialty.

"The limitation we have to participate in international events is money," declared the para-athlete referring to the consequences of the meager resources; with problems, they give us a budget. Last year we had no participation for that reason; there have already been seven competitions scheduled for this year, and we haven't attended any," he emphasized.

Eduardo pointed out that the support from organizations is more focused on providing training facilities and health assistance. "We only receive a small scholarship. However, we have facilities and medical services, including therapy and psychology," he said.

As for costumes for their performances, as well as expenses for repairing their wheelchairs, athletes have to rely on the private sector, as the funds they receive are not enough. "What they give us is only for transportation, nothing more. We obtain donations and make presentations to seek funds for costumes and wheelchair repairs," he explained.

When questioned about why associations in the country act in this way, the dancer emphasized: "Federations justify themselves by saying that it is not a sport integrated into the Paralympic Games, although it is endorsed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). So, until we are part of that event, we will not have more support."

The future of para-dance is to be with the private sector. Because, from the organizations, we will not receive more than what little they have to give us; therefore, we will seek sponsorships," said the world champion in the Netherlands in 2006.

The World Wheelchair Dance Championships this year took place on October 21 and 22 in the city of Medellen, Belgium; for this event, government institutions covered the travel expenses. The Mexican delegation (composed of 10 athletes) won five medals in the competition: one bronze, three silvers, and one gold.