It was joy and pride after the basketball team of the Institución Educativa Adventista was crowned champion of the 2025 School Sports Games.
It was a test of faith after the team revealed that they would not honour the final fixture that landed on the Sabbath. Without hesitation, the team decided not to attend the match.
After a strong effort from the teachers, parents and Adventist leaders the final was rescheduled from Saturday to Thursday.
After an unusual but deeply meaningful reason: fidelity to their Christian principles, specifically to observance of the Sabbath.
The decision generated uncertainty about the outcome of the tournament but it also sparked collective reflection on respect for religious freedom and spiritual integrity in school sports leading to news coverage by various media outlets.
Basketball Coach, Raúl Israel Roque Gollegos revealed that it’s God who made the achievement possible.
“Thanks be to God because He made everything possible, He touched people’s hearts; thanks to everyone who prayed for our team for their messages on social media,” he said.
This achievement not only places the Adventist institution at the top of the academic polls but also elevates it as an example that spiritual are not negotiable.
For these young people and athletes, winning the championship was important but remaining faithful was their victory.
