A pioneering training camp has opened in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, bringing together nearly three dozen women from ten South American nations for the first-ever amputee soccer camp on the continent, organized by the World Amputee Football Federation in collaboration with local authorities and non‑profit partners.
Training with crutches: turning challenges into technique
The participants, many of whom lost limbs to infections or traumatic injuries, arrived with crutches and a shared determination to master balance, coordination and ball control on the field.
Under the guidance of elite athletes, including members of the U.S. Women’s National Amputee Soccer Team, coaches demonstrated techniques that blend sport with adaptive equipment, turning crutches into tools of precision.
Filomena Luna, a 50‑year‑old mother of six from Bolivia, spoke of her hope to wear the national colors in the 2027 Women’s Amputee Football World Cup, a goal that has driven her through months of rehabilitation.
The camp’s curriculum, designed by the World Amputee Football Federation in partnership with local authorities and non‑profit groups, emphasizes not only technical skill but also confidence building and community integration.
Beyond the drills, the gathering serves as a catalyst for a broader movement, challenging perceptions of disability and showcasing the power of sport to transform lives across South America, Gaza, Rwanda and beyond.
The next World Cup is scheduled for Poland in 2027, where the inaugural tournament will build on the momentum generated by the 2024 edition held in Colombia, where Colombia claimed the first title.
Organizers say the experience will ripple outward, inspiring similar programs in other regions and reinforcing the idea that ambition knows no physical limits.