Ana Guevara fails during forum on violence in sports

Georgina Saldierna and Andrea Becerril

La Jornada Newspaper, Thursday, September 4, 2025, p. a11

Ana Gabriela Guevara's management of the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE) was criticized by participants in a forum held in the Senate, where the violence against athletes, which is forcing them to abandon training, was also denounced.

The director of the National System of Physical Culture and Sports, Fabiola González Robledo, explained that the problem of violence is exacerbated by women or disadvantaged individuals. Therefore, the current head of CONADE, Rommel Pacheco, has sought out a rapprochement with the Secretariat of Women, the National Human Rights Commission, and legislators, in order to incorporate the issue into law and rely on the expertise of specialists in the field.

He emphasized that measures have been put in place to combat the attacks, including the establishment of complaint areas in training centers and the dissemination of materials to understand what violence in sports is, as these practices are sometimes so subtle that they become normalized.

Likewise, protocols are being developed to provide immediate attention to cases, he added on behalf of Pacheco.

At the first forum on sports violence, "Brave on and off the field," Senator Ana Karen Hernández said that sports should be synonymous with brotherhood, effort, self-improvement, and health; however, when aggression, intolerance, and harassment taint this activity, its fundamental values ​​are betrayed.

The president of the Senate's Sports Committee reaffirmed her commitment to firmly supporting athletes after announcing that she has held meetings with Rommel Pacheco and members of Congress to promote initiatives on their behalf.

Rafael Chacón, a council member from Coacalco, considered the former director of CONADE to be failing, after expressing his confidence in the current head of the agency, who faces a great challenge but started with "good results." He expressed his hope that the official will not let young people down.

Luis Eduardo Vega, of the Youth Network for Mexico, demanded more funding for the sector and that the limited funding reach athletes, unlike previous occasions when there was a pending issue with the former director of CONADE. But with Rommel Pacheco, he maintained, funds are reaching athletes.

Throughout the forum, athletes and coaches recounted violent practices in the sector, such as demands to reduce body fat and lose up to a kilo of weight per day, psychological manipulation to force athletes to dope, and the imposition of prohibited exercises on those who report these conditions.

▲ Fans could also watch the matches with hospitality packages, featuring luxury entertainment. Photo AFP

From the editorial staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Thursday, September 4, 2025, p. a12

FIFA announced the system and dates for ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, with prices ranging from $60 (1,123 pesos) for group stage matches to $6,730 (125,984 pesos) for the most exclusive seats at the tournament final.

The world governing body of football indicated that the acceptance of a draw application does not guarantee the availability of tickets during the time slot.

He explained that individual tickets will be on sale for all 104 matches, as well as for each venue and team.

The first window for World Cup ticket sales will be September 10 and will be exclusive to Visa cardholders. Fans wishing to attend the tournament, which will be held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, must register by that date and create a FIFA ID at FIFA.com/tickets .

Following a random selection process, those selected will receive an email notification starting September 29th and will be informed of the date and time to purchase tickets (subject to availability), with the deadline starting October 1st.

Due to expected high demand, FIFA World Cup tickets will be released in phases, with the Visa Presale draw being the first.

New ticket sales will launch in the coming months, allowing all fans to register to purchase tickets. Fans who are not eligible to participate in the Visa Presale drawing, who were unsuccessful in it, or who wish to make additional purchases will be able to do so in two further phases.

The second phase of ticket sales will be open to the general public, with registration from October 27 to 31, and purchase time slots available from mid-November to early December. For the third phase, registration will begin shortly after the World Cup final draw.

During this final stage, fans will be able to submit requests for specific matches after the final draw has revealed most of the group stage pairings.

FIFA will also launch an official and secure resale platform.

This initiative seeks to protect fans against unauthorized ticket resale and is available to the public. Mexican residents will have access to a ticket exchange platform, although no further details regarding this method of ticket purchase have been released at this time. In addition to these options, fans will also be able to watch the 2026 World Cup matches with hospitality packages, which offer luxury amenities.

▲ Clara Brugada announced a broad program of sports activities in support of the great soccer celebration. Photo courtesy of the Mexico City Government.

Rocio Gonzalez Alvarado

La Jornada Newspaper, Thursday, September 4, 2025, p. a12

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Mexico City government will hold a community children's soccer tournament, with more than 10,000 matches planned for the capital. It will also hold the world's largest class in the Zócalo, which is expected to break the Guinness World Record held by Seattle in the United States.

After reporting on these activities and the progress of the mobility projects to welcome World Cup attendees, the head of government, Clara Brugada, announced that the opening day of the sporting event—June 11 of next year—will be declared a holiday, as it is a very important day for Mexicans.

At the Old City Hall, the capital's president assured that Mexico City will have a broad program of sports activities, with the goal of ensuring that during the World Cup, the capital's residents will not only be observers, but also protagonists of an event that energizes community life and promotes values, inclusion, and solidarity.

He specified that the world's largest soccer class will be held on March 1st and announced the construction of 100 new fields in different parts of the city, as well as the renovation of another 400, with the goal of ensuring that children, youth, and the entire population have decent and accessible spaces to exercise.

Meanwhile, the local Tourism Secretary, Alejandra Frausto, explained that the children's tournament, called Ollamaliztli (Ball Game), encompasses four categories for girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 16, and will be completely free.

Registration, which will be open throughout September, can be completed at more than 300 Pilares (stairs) throughout the city or online via a QR code. The tournament will begin on October 4 and conclude in February. Winners will receive scholarships, prize packages from the organizers, and participation in official World Cup events. Additionally, scouts will be on hand during the matches to identify talent in the communities.

For his part, the general director of the Mexico City Sports Institute, Javier Peralta, explained that this competition will be held using seven-a-side football, with teams consisting of a maximum of 10 players—seven on the field and three on the bench—allowing for a dynamic and participatory format.

Regarding mobility projects, authorities highlighted the completion of the Suburban Train branch that will run from Felipe Ángeles International Airport to Buenavista, as well as the elevated section of the Toluca Interurban Train to Observatorio, in addition to the implementation of the Elevated Trolleybus line from Santa Martha to Constitución de 1917.

▲ Robinson Canó, second baseman for the Scarlets, celebrates his touchdown. Photo @diablosrojosmx

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Thursday, September 4, 2025, p. a31

With a four-run sixth inning, the Diablos Rojos del México defeated the Piratas de Campeche 7-5 in Game 4, tying the Southern Zone Championship Series at 2-2.

In the game at Nelson Barrera Stadium, the Scarlets held a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning, and thanks to runs by Rio Ruiz, Carlos Sepúlveda, Allen Córdoba, and Robinson Canó, they made it 7-2. However, the home team responded with three runs in the same inning to make it 7-5.

The Devils and Pirates will meet today at Nelson Barrera Stadium for the fifth game of the series.

With this result, the capital team secured a place in the sixth game of the series next Saturday at their home stadium, the Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium.

In Major League action, the Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees 8-7 in a comeback victory led by Cuban Yordan Álvarez and Dominican Jeremy Peña. Álvarez had a career-high four hits, and Peña had two hits and a home run.

The Texans, who trailed as many as 4-1, rallied with a four-run explosion in the eighth inning off reliever Devin Williams.

For the Yankees, Cody Bellinger homered and drove in three runs. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers fell 3-0 to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Catcher Will Smith also suffered an injury.