The Peace Cup kicks off a new era

UNITING THE NATION Colombia’s Copa America victory has lifted the country’s hopes and upped the president’s popularity.

Few examples of sport’s often ignored ability to transcend social and political conflict and rally a city, town or country behind a common cause, can compare to this summer’s soccer victory of Colombia’s national team over Mexico to seize its first ever Copa America title in the tournament’s 85-year history.
So important were the matches for Colombia that President Andres Pastrana had dubbed the tournament “the Peace Cup” in the hope that it would mark an important step towards a new Colombian spirit of national unity after decades of internal strife.

Following the July 29 victory, 46,000 fans in Bogota’s El Campin Stadium erupted in cheers of “Colombia, Colombia” and hundreds of thousands more took to the streets for celebrations that stretched as far as New York’s numerous Colombian community.

Monica Echeverri General Manager of MasterCard Colombia

“I want to invite you all not to lose this enthusiasm, and to remain united around that goal which we all seek and of which we have all dreamed: to have a country at peace,” President Pastrana said in an emotional radio and television address broadcast the day after the win.
This year’s Copa America, by far Latin America’s most important sporting event, as well as the previous five tournaments were sponsored by MasterCard International, whose general manager for Colombia, Monica Echeverri, played an important role in the success of the two-week event.

“Sponsoring the Copa America was a great opportunity to offer fans and tournament organizers the possibility to join in the soccer activities of our company,” which donated US$8,700 to a soccer youth program for the 57 goals scored during the tournament.
President Pastrana’s hard-fought efforts to host the tournament in Colombia this year won him praise among the majority of Colombians.
As a result, his popularity rating soared in the week following his country’s victory, with 42% of the nation saying they approved of the president’s policies compared to just 24% in May opinion polls.
In his post-game speech, Mr Pastrana thanked citizens for the “non-violent enthusiasm” they showed during the long road to the championship.
“And for those who choose to believe in the mistaken path of weapons, I exhort you to open your ears to the national clamor in favor of living and progressing in peace.