A pioneering training camp in Bolivia
In the highlands of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, a historic soccer training camp unfolded last month, gathering nearly three dozen women from ten nations for the first-ever South American program dedicated to female amputees. The participants, many of whom had lost limbs to infections or traumatic injuries, arrived with crutches and a shared determination to master balance, coordination and ball control. Before stepping onto the pitch they removed their prosthetic limbs, relying solely on their crutches to move and their feet to dribble.
The camp was a joint effort between the World Amputee Football Federation and local authorities, with seasoned coaches from the U.S. Women’s National Amputee Soccer Team and local champion Amie Donathan guiding drills and tactical sessions. Elite athletes who have competed internationally in amputee soccer provided hands‑on instruction, emphasizing both technical refinement and strategic understanding of the game.
Beyond technical skills, the week‑long initiative offered a rare sense of community. For many, the experience was a revelation of personal growth, turning what was once a solitary struggle into a collective celebration of possibility. Participants described feeling a renewed confidence that extended far beyond the field, influencing other areas of their lives.
The broader narrative of amputee soccer stretches back to the 1980s, when men’s international competitions first emerged, especially in regions scarred by conflict such as Gaza and Rwanda. The sport’s profile rose after the inaugural women’s World Cup in 2024, hosted by Colombia, and will continue in Poland in 2027, signaling a growing, inclusive global footprint.
Lidia Mayser, president of the Santa Cruz sports council, highlighted the camp’s role in nurturing talent that could soon wear the Bolivian jersey in the 2027 tournament. Filomena Luna, who lost her leg at age eleven to an infection, expressed hope of representing her country on that stage, embodying the camp’s mission to turn dreams into reality.