After the presidency of Bolivia, Evo Morales begins a new life.

He was elected Thursday, January 19 at the head of the first division football club Palmaflor.

"As president of the Palmaflor team, we have our brother Evo Morales Ayma", president of Bolivia from 2006 to 2019, said Roly Jaldin, member of the Carrasco Tropical Coca Producers Federation, in the center of the country.

Evo Morales mentioned last year a project to acquire the club without specifying his future functions.

Six unions of coca harvesters, of which the former left-wing president is the undisputed leader, also negotiated the free takeover of the football club last year.

Muy honrado y agradecido por la confianza de hermanas y hermanos de las 6 Federaciones del Trópico que nos entregan la responsabilidad de presidir al team de fútbol de nuestro pueblo, Palmaflor.

Is a great challenge that asumimos con esperanza y humildad.

pic.twitter.com/mBWZtP2Wh9

— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) January 19, 2023

Evo Morales, 63, is himself a former cocalero peasant (coca producer) from the Amerindian minority of the Aymaras.

Bolivia's first indigenous president, he resigned in 2019, under pressure from opposition protests challenging his re-election for a fourth term.

>> To read also: Bolivia, the Evo years

“We already have a board formed, which will lead and manage the entire Palmaflor team,” added Roly Jardin.

An illustrious board of directors

Among its members, most of whom belong to the coca growers union, is the president of the Bolivian Senate, Andronico Rodriguez, a coca grower.

The team's sporting director will be Tito Montano, a former soccer player and Minister of Sports under President Morales. 

Palmaflor belonged to small gold traders based in the town of Quillacollo (center).

The club relocated to Villa Tunari, in Chaparé, a rural region where coca is grown.

Its "Bicentenario" stadium has a capacity of 25,000 spectators.

Palmaflor finished 5th in the Bolivian league last season and is taking part in the Copa Sudamericana.

They will face another Bolivian club, Blooming, in the first leg of the first phase of the competition on March 9.

With AFP

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