DAZZLING NIGHT OF BEYOND SPORTS MEXICO

In Mexico City, six of the greatest stars of Mexican sport, were a shining testament to the first edition of the Beyond Sports Award.

Hugo Sánchez, Lorena Ochoa, Femando Valenzuela, Julio César Chávez, Ana Gabriela Guevara and María del Rosario Espinoza were there to present the trophy to the winning association.

Beyond Sport works in coordination with different institutions including the Mexican Chamber of Deputies; World Boxing Council (WBC); Alazraki Sports; Televisa Deportes; The Macallan and Coca Cola.

The winner of the award was Transformación Social Traso A. C. who will receive a prize of twenty five thousand dollars from the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico presented  by its President Jorge Carlos Ramírez Marín, who announced the winner. In addition there will be funding and the organizations on the list will receive continuous support from Beyond Sport, among other privileges.

After the presentation of each of the invited figures, Mexican golfer, former world number one and recently inducted into the Professional Golf Hall of Fame, Lorena Ochoa said: “I am honored to be together with so many stars. This is a night that we’ll never forget.  I like to talk about my foundation and to be able to help others especially with education.  I knew that if I played well, if I won tournaments, more children could be helped and that’s been my inspiration.”

The Star of Los Angeles Dodgers and by far the best baseball player of Mexico, Fernando Valenzuela said: Sport is always important, and I appreciate being in this sport. But, the important thing is that young people practice what they like and love.  We know that you can combine sport with study, but I think the difference is that with sport you win or you lose. Whereas with education you always win!”

Senator Ana Gabriela Guevara, sprinter and Olympic medalist in the 400 meters said: “I am so excited because three men are here who motivated my career. The dream of an Olympic Games and that was crystallized in Hugo’s shirt, in the games of Fernando and in the fights of Julio.”

Julio César Chávez, the best Mexican boxer of all time, was undoubtedly the most emotional, with his personal style said in his memorable and heartfelt speech: “Boxing is a way to survive and to get out of poverty and addictions.  Boxing is very difficult,  but it takes you away from drugs and alcohol, and when fame comes to us, the money comes…and negative people arrive that lead us to commit mistakes like the ones I committed. I dreamed of fast cars, yachts, big houses, because I had  little  in my childhood. I gained everything that I dreamed about, but… I fell  to the lowest. Today thank God I have two rehabilitation clinics, I am nine years clean and I help people to live without alcohol and without drugs.”

During her speech the multimedallist in Taekwondo, María del Rosario Espinoza commented: I am happy to be with these heroes who have given great joy to Mexico. And, I’m happy to be here! We  share something important that is the love and passion for our sport and love for  Mexico.”

The all time star of Real Madrid and the best soccer player Mexico has produced, Hugo Sanchez said: “This photo will be wonderful forever, some always have references and we have dreams that can be fulfilled. When we achieve the goals we set ourselves, we’re proud for what is accomplished. I believe that achieving goals is for everyone,  and when you’re a reference for people, you must take care, have a good image and if we want a better Mexico we have to be an example “.

During his speech, World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman thanked Nick Keller, founder of Beyond Sport and Alejandro Hutt of Alazraki Sports, as well as the  guests, and  Mexico’s finest all time athletes. He also thanked Senator Jorge Carlos Ramírez Marín for the work done and the opportunity to bring this organization to Mexico.