A whole new ballgame

Tricks of the game: Youngsters of a team from Managua’s neighbourhood Villa Reconciliacion during a training session. The sport has been gaining new enthusiasts in the country in recent months. – AFP

DESPITE having no famous players, no high-profile league and inadequate stadiums, football in Nicaragua is starting to awaken, grabbing more and more attention among its youth in a nation traditionally crazy about baseball.

Analysts say the growth has been spurred by several factors, mainly television which is now showing more games from the Spanish league and big events like the World Cup.