LIMA, August 8, 2019 - To the north of Colombia an island inhabited by more than 70,000 people tries to get ahead. Meanwhile the national government and local leaders remain oblivious, with little or no interest in the destination despite it being one of the most striking in the Caribbean. Today sport seems to be one of the most attractive ways to excel and show that there is plenty of talent around.
Currently San Andrés has footballers in the professional league, Colombia's top basketball player, Michael Jackson, is in the national team, and only recently two more Colombian players stood out at the Pan American Games Lima 2019, Steve Brown and Derwin Pomare.
Known for its beautiful beaches and above all for its distinct sea of seven colors that attracts most of its visitors, San Andrés does not make it easy for would-be athletes. "There's nothing for you on the island if you have a talent, or potential, you have to leave to look out for your future," says Pomare, a baseball player who has left due to a lack of opportunity.
For athletes it is hard to emerge since the disorganization of managers and government is a difficult issue to overcome, "For almost a year I have not been to San Andrés because I realized what I can do with the talent that God has given me which is to play, in the last few years of doing well I have played in Panama,” he added.
Speaking on the specific theme of baseball, Derwin said, "Every time a tournament is played it is very short, I think there should be more tournaments in the year."
In recent years, San Andrés, the land of the oblivious, stands out more for what it has lost than what it has achieved. Specifically when considering the Hague Ruling of 2012, where Colombia lost in the Constitutional Court with much of the sea that belonged to the inhabitants of the territory becoming Nicaragua's domain. Seven years after that significant failure for the native islanders, the exploits of athletes like Derwin Pomare regain importance when it comes to locating the island on the map for its achievements and not for its misfortunes.
