FEALAC
I. Project Brief Info
SPORTS EXCHANGE PROGRAMS FEALAC
| Project Type | National |
|---|---|
| Working Group |
CYGS |
| Host Country |
Colombia
|
| Date | Jun. 11, 2025 ~ Mar. 31, 2026 |
| Project Status | Planned |
| Venue | Ibagué, Ambalema, Paipa |
| Participants |
Member countries Members of FOCALAE |
|
Organizations Ministry of Sports of Colombia • Tolima Governor's Office • INDEPORTES Tolima • Ibagué City Hall • Ambalema City Hall • Colombian Rugby Federation • Tolima Rugby League • Tolima Skating League • Corficolombiana Foundation |
II. Executive Summary
- Project Purposes
- This project primarily aims to organize sports exchanges among FEALAC countries. It will include knowledge exchange ranging from coaches to young athletes, defined as underage sports participants, generally teenagers between 15 and 18 years old. The goal is to share international experiences among FEALAC members.
The project will be developed in two phases. The first phase will promote sports exchange through the disciplines of skating and rugby. This initial phase is proposed to be carried out in Colombia. The second phase will continue the sports exchange in FEALAC member countries interested in hosting delegations in skating, rugby, or other sports such as badminton and football.
The objective is for FEALAC member countries with strong traditions in these disciplines to share their expertise through training sessions, matches, friendly activities, seminars, and cultural visits. This will enrich all participants and enhance the sports benefits of each delegation, leveraging the high-level capabilities found in countries with strong rugby backgrounds such as New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and in Latin America—Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil.
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How Will the Project Be Carried Out?
Phase 1: Exchange in Colombia
We will host international delegations from FEALAC to share experiences, training sessions, and competitions with young FEALAC athletes (4 rugby coaches and 8 skating athletes). Activities will include skating clinics, rugby training, technical seminars for coaches, and friendly matches.
Phase 2: Exchange in a country to be defined
In this second phase, the Colombian delegation and others interested in participating in the project will take part in practices and matches in countries that are leaders in the aforementioned sports disciplines (1 rugby team with their rugby coaches). The aim is for these host countries to be global leaders in sports such as rugby and skating.
Where Will the Project Take Place?
In Colombia:
Activities will mainly take place in Ibagué, the capital city of the department of Tolima. All sports activities will be held at the Sports Center of the City of Ibagué. The delegation will also visit the city of Ambalema, located two hours from Ibagué, and participate in cultural and sports activities with local youth athletes. Finally, the delegation will travel to the city of Paipa, located in the department of Boyacá, known for producing athletes and for its beautiful landscapes and cultural activities.
In a FEALAC Member Country (to be defined):
The Colombian delegation, or any other delegation interested in the project, will travel to a FEALAC member country with a strong tradition in the mentioned sports disciplines. These exchanges will also include visits to high-performance training centers and participation in cultural activities.
When Will the Project Take Place?
The project will be implemented in two phases during the years 2025 and 2026:
• Colombian Phase 1: Scheduled for the second half of 2025, with a 14-day visit by the international delegation to Colombia.
• Phase 2: In the first half of 2026, the Colombian (or participating) delegation will travel for a 14-day sports exchange to the selected FEALAC member country.
Who Will Participate in the Project?
• International Delegation: Coaches and young athletes from FEALAC member countries, accompanied by their technical and organizational teams.
• Colombian Delegation: Young athletes and coaches from Colombia’s skating and rugby leagues.
• Organizers: The project will be coordinated by the Ministry of Sport of Colombia, the Government of Tolima, INDEPORTES Tolima, the Municipality of Ibagué, the Colombian Rugby Federation, the Tolima Rugby League, the Tolima Skating League, and the Corficolombiana Foundation, along with international counterparts from other countries interested in participating in the project.
- Activity Description
- Proposed Activities:
• Training Exchanges and Friendly Matches: Skating and rugby clinics and training sessions, accompanied by friendly matches between local and international teams to promote learning and healthy competition.
• Seminars and Technical Training: International seminars for coaches and referees to discuss high-level training strategies and methodologies, aiming to improve the training of Colombian coaches.
• Cultural and Educational Visits: Activities including visits to sports centers, academies, and cultural integration experiences with international delegations.
• Sports Competitions and Festivals: Organization of large-scale rugby and skating festivals for children and youth to encourage the practice of these sports in communities.
• Sports and Social Culture: Social integration activities for young athletes, aiming to foster their comprehensive development through sport.
Expected Results:
• Improved Technical Level of Athletes and Coaches: Through the transfer of international knowledge and methodologies, a significant improvement is expected in the technical and tactical skills of Latinoamerica y East Asia Colombian athletes in skating and rugby.
• Strengthening of Colombia’s Sports Structure: The project will contribute to the consolidation of training and development programs at the local, regional, and national levels, creating new opportunities for youth participation in high-performance sports.
• Reduction in Youth Violence: Thanks to the focus on sports development in vulnerable communities, the project is expected to serve as an effective tool to prevent violence and offer alternatives for young people in conflict-prone areas.
• Establishment of Long-Term International Relationships: Sports and cultural ties between participating countries will be strengthened, opening doors for future exchanges, scholarships, and collaborations in the sports field.
• International Visibility: The project will enhance participant countries visibility on the international stage as countries committed to sports development and athlete training, which may inspire future talent to follow this path, specially between FEALAC members.
- Outcomes
- Next Steps
III. Appendices
- Project details
- Reports, websites or resources (links or soft copies)
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- Photos and other available information
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IV. Project Contact Point
| Name | David Alejandro Acosta / Maria Fernanda Muñoz Bravo |
|---|---|
| Position | Coordinator of the GIT Olympic Performance Sport / International Cooperation |
| Department/ Organization |
Positioning and Sports Leadership/ International Cooperation Ministry of Sports of Colombia |
| Country | Colombia |
| dacostac@mindeporte.gov.co / mfmunoz@mindeporte.gov.co |