Silvio Velo, a legend of Argentine Paralympic sports, lamented the current disinvestment in sports in the country, recalling the difficulties he faced, such as selling pens to survive. In an interview with Ty C Sports, the former blind footballer, who changed the history of the sport in Argentina, discussed his career, new challenges, and the role of the foundation he created. Velo, who captained the national team for 30 years, does not live in the past. "There are many things left for me to do; I think what has passed is in the past," he stated. Currently, he is dedicated to the foundation he established, which aims to support sports through promotion, and is preparing to launch a documentary and a book. Additionally, he has found a new passion in adapted tennis, where he has already become a national champion. "Obviously, football is my life," he confessed, recalling how he started playing with a ball he could neither see nor hear: "Time and God put a ball with bells in my hands, and we understood each other wonderfully." "In tennis, I found a very good sport to apply everything that football taught me. Although it may seem unrelated, it has a lot to do with it; it is a sport that requires a lot of concentration and temperament. Even though football is a team sport and tennis is individual, both share discipline and training; I apply that and can convey the same passion and desire to win," he revealed. Silvio Velo, captain of Los Murcielagos, has just become the national champion of tennis for the blind. Total star. When asked about the resilience of Argentine athletes, Velo attributes it to a national gene: "Argentines have the will to overcome. Many athletes come from humble beginnings, from totally adverse contexts, and that will is there. You want to win against anyone who stands in your way because you know that could mean a meal on the table." For Velo, this "hunger for glory" explains why Argentine players are so sought after and important on teams around the world. The former athlete harshly criticized the disinvestment in sports, especially in the context of crisis. "Unfortunately, whenever we are in crisis, sports are affected because it is the weakest link. And I still don’t understand why sports have to pay the price, and I will never understand it, when it is something so important," he lamented. Velo emphasized the social role of sports as an escape from delinquency and drugs, considering it a "very valuable tool for inclusion," especially for people with disabilities. The Argentine blind football legend, considered the Maradona of blind football, recalled the enormous difficulties he faced throughout his career, even after achieving the status of champion and best player in the world, a career of glory and sacrifice, from the pride of being a flag bearer at the Paralympic Games to the financial struggles that forced him into precarious jobs to support his family, even at the height of sporting success. "I was the world champion and the best player in the world, but I had to sell pens on the train to make a living. I had a family and bills to pay," he lamented. The athlete highlighted the harsh reality that sporting recognition did not translate into financial stability. "With medals, diplomas, and trophies, we don’t fill the pot. I had to do other things to put food on the table because being the best and the champion did not reflect in my bank account," he explained, adding that, fortunately, he managed to overcome that situation. Frustration was sometimes inevitable when witnessing the disparity of resources. "Many times you feel anger because other athletes have resources without achieving the same results. Although those who have them also deserve it, I would have liked the scales to be more balanced to have a better life and continue giving everything for my country," he concluded.
Eat Silvio Velo Argentine Paralympic remains central to this story.
Eat Silvio Velo Argentine Paralympic remains central to this story.
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