The Government of Nicaragua, through the Nicaraguan Sports Institute, paid homage this Friday to the national team of his country that made its debut in the V World Baseball Classic, from which it said goodbye without victories.
The Nicaraguan players and coaching staff received a plaque of recognition for their participation in the World Cup, the first in five editions, from which they were eliminated after losing all four of their matches.
"Forward! They are an example to follow for our youth athletes"reads the recognition plaque delivered to the members of the Nicaraguan team during an event held at the Olof Palme convention center in Managua.
"We want to join this wave of recognition that our people have lived through these days thanks to your performance on the field of play, the product of your work, your effort, your sacrifices, your coaches, the support of your families"said the director of the Nicaraguan Sports Institute, Marlon Torres, in his speech.
The official encouraged the players to continue working to achieve future results in other sporting events.
"That is the commitment. We have before us the ALBA Games (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of the Americas), the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador, and if we achieve the desired results, also the Pan American Games in Chile at the end of the year."indicated.
The pitcher Duque Hebbert, who had an outstanding performance against the Dominican Republic team, sent a message to the Nicaraguan youth on behalf of the team.
"The message that he wanted to give to the youth is that every sacrifice has a reward. Always discipline, dedication, delivery in each game, can get you out. You always have to trust yourself, with faith in God"he expressed.
Hebbert, a 21-year-old pitcher who was an outfielder two years ago, struck out three of the four batters he faced, including outfielders Juan Soto and Julio Rodriguez and third baseman Rafael Devers, all three major leaguers.
Nicaragua, which went winless in its first World Baseball Classic, in which it was placed in Group D, shone in the first half of most of its games.
The Central American team lost in its debut 1-9 against Puerto Rico; 1-3 with Israel; 1-6 with the Dominican Republic; and 1-4 against Venezuela, to close with a 0-4 record in Group D of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.