Students Nicolás Botero Ramírez, Santiago Marulanda Jaramillo and Santiago Pérez Villacob from 5th grade were champions with their team Deportivo Cali, category 2011, in the National Bahia Soccer Tournament held in the city of Santa Marta from the 1st to the 7th of December. They played 7 difficult matches and in the final it was the penalty kick shootout that won them the championship trophy. They were also runner-up in the Ciudad de Cali tournament, which took place from the 8th to the 15th of the same month. Two great results for our young players.
The final of the Bahia Soccer tournament was very close, they drew 1-1 and went to the penalty shootout. Nicolás Botero, the team’s goalkeeper, was one of the protagonists of the championship as he saved 4 of the 5 penalty kicks taken by the rival team in the final of the tournament.
Deportivo Cali strikers Santiago Marulanda and Santiago Pérez were effective and scored their respective kicks to give their team the lead, and together with the excellent performance of the other penalty takers, they won 5-1 in the shootout, thus winning the crown.
“We feel great joy and satisfaction for the boys. To see that their dedication, sacrifice and discipline are rewarded with these achievements only generates gratitude. We must continue to motivate them and accompany them so that they keep going forward in this sport that brings them beautiful things,” said Beatriz Ramírez, mother of Nicolas.
As if that wasn’t enough, one day after playing the tournament in Santa Marta, our students were already in Cali, crowding the pitch to play in the Copa Ciudad de Cali tournament where they competed in 6 matches, reached the final and were runner-up. A lot of effort and tenacity!
What awaits this trio of footballers? This year, Deportivo Cali is having tryouts and summoning youngsters to be part of the Deportivo Cali’s junior reserve and we hope that they can be a part of this next level experience. We are proud of you!
