The winners of this year's International Festival of Mini-Basketball held in Argentina are none other than a group of Trique Indian boys from Mexico. What makes this win surprising to many is that most of these boys are short and most of them play basketball with no shoes. Their rivals have dubbed them "the barefoot mice from Mexico." Just so you know, the players are given tennis shoes when they join the team, but most would rather play barefoot.
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The team is from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. These children are from poor families who struggle to buy clothes and shoes. Going barefoot is the norm for them. The basketball team is part of a program designed to help children in Oaxaca, which is one of the poorest states in the country.
The Oaxaca state government gives them shoes, a uniform, and a monthly stipend of $46. In order to get into the program the kids must have good grades, speak their native language, and help with chores at home. I am happy to know that the program also includes some girls.
Congratulations to the team for winning the tournament! Did I mention that they won all six of their games?! Nice! Mexico is proud and so is anyone who is watching from the sidelines and has a heart.
It just goes to show that it's not about height or shoes, instead it has so much more to do with determination and ganas.
Image via Thinkstock
