Astrid Bibiana Rodríguez Cortés, specialist in Advanced Sports Studies, from the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University; Master in Education, from the National Pedagogical University and PhD in Social Studies, from the Externado de Colombia University, she was appointed by President Gustavo Petro as the new Minister of Sport, after the declaration of María Isabel Urrutia as non-existent.
Rodríguez, with an academic profile and far from politics, faces several challenges at the head of the young portfolio.
Less than a day after being positioned, the new minister attends EL TIEMPO.
(The scandal of her predecessor: María Isabel Urrutia, against the ropes: ‘duplicate contracts’ would have criminal effects).
The new minister speaks
Experience
“In addition to my studies, I have worked as a teacher in private schools. I also worked at the Secretary of Education in Bogotá, at the IDRD, and I spent almost 20 years at the Pedagogical University.”
His relationship with President Petro
“I do not have a political career, I come from the academy and my relationship with President Petro is mediated by the legacy of Víctor Jairo Chinchilla (deceased), my teacher on the subject of physical education. Our ideas align. We want and we are identified with the change proposed by the President”.
What will you contribute to the Ministry?
“The academy. I clearly understand the concerns of people who are focused on the fact that I have no political experience, but it is that I did not arrive alone. In the sports field I come with people who support me. I worked in the IDRD and I have an idea of how it worked At the time, the issue was in Coldeportes. Therefore, I have colleagues who have been related to sports in the country. I am not alone, we are a team that will work for sports in Colombia.”
Olympic sport and problem with the IOC
“Today I am arriving and the first thing I have to do is meet with the Colombian Olympic Committee. We have to listen to them and see what happens with the IOC money. The only clear thing is that the athletes are the priority.”
Relationship with the federations
“It would be irresponsible to take a position when I have not yet calmly analyzed the relationship with each federation. Our idea is to guarantee conditions for athletes.”
Women’s soccer league
“I am just beginning. I have not been able to analyze how the related financial issue is. I would prefer to ask for a little more calm so that I can talk about it and not fall into inaccuracies.”
transparency in football
“It would be important to talk to the leaders of football and be able to chat with them. Sport has very positive values and we are going to work for them. We would also like the media to help us transmit them.”
The challenges
“We are running. The situation is very difficult, there are many things to do. We are going to run, that is clear, to try to do the best possible job.”
Physical education
“The president’s idea is that physical education is accessible to all. In this sense, the idea is to articulate with the Ministry of Education and work on the training of primary school teachers not only in the cities but in all regions of the country “.
LISANDRO ABEL RENGIFO
SPORTS EDITOR EL TIEMPO
In networks: @LisandroAbel
More news
#Sports #Minister #traces #route #TIEMPO #situation #difficult