In the highlands of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, a groundbreaking soccer training camp unfolded, gathering nearly three dozen women from ten countries for an intensive five‑day program.
Pioneering Training for Amputee Athletes
The participants, many of whom lost limbs to infections or traumatic injuries, worked on balance, coordination, crutch technique, ball control and the specific rules that govern amputee soccer, while elite coaches from the U.S. Women’s National Amputee Soccer Team guided them through drills and friendly matches.
Under the tournament’s regulations, prosthetic limbs are removed before play and athletes rely on crutches for propulsion, a distinctive feature that shapes both strategy and equipment.
Amie Donathan, a veteran member of the U.S. team born with a single leg, described the camp as a transformative experience, noting how the shared environment fostered confidence and camaraderie among participants who often face isolation in their daily lives.
Lidia Mayser, president of the Santa Cruz sports council, outlined ambitions to establish a national amputee federation and field a Bolivian squad for the forthcoming 2027 Women’s Amputee Football World Cup, a goal echoed by Filomena Luna, a 50‑year‑old mother of six who lost her leg at age eleven and dreams of representing her country.
The camp forms part of a broader narrative in amputee sport, where men have competed internationally since the 1980s and a men’s World Cup has been held every four years; the women’s game celebrated its inaugural tournament in 2024, with Colombia clinching the first title, and the next edition is slated for Poland in 2027, though the exact venue remains undecided.
Beyond the field, the initiative underscores the growing recognition of inclusive sport, as organizers collaborate with local authorities, nonprofits and the World Amputee Football Federation to expand opportunities and challenge perceptions of disability.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As preparations continue, the blend of technical instruction, tactical education and community building aims to empower athletes like Luna, who now sees soccer as an escape and a pathway to personal growth, while the upcoming tournament promises to further elevate the profile of women’s amputee football on the global stage.