Original language: Spanish (radio segment on Tribu al Extremo, 106.1 FM).
By Juan Victoria
Oax Sport. Athlete Support and Programs.
This blog series
Every Thursday, I join Tribu al Extremo for our Oax Sport segment on 106.1 FM. Here, I turn the episode into text so you can scan fast, save the key facts, and quote with precision. In every post you will find: episode details, the main points, and the interview organized by theme.
Episode details
- Host and text: Juan Victoria
- Show: Tribu al Extremo (Grupo FM Radios). 106.1 FM
- Segment: Oax Sport. Segment launch
- Focus: how we support athletes in Oaxaca, and how athletes can request support
- Listen live: every Thursday, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Oaxaca time
What we talked about
- Why this space exists. To share sports knowledge and spotlight the people who build sports in Oaxaca. Athletes, coaches, organizers, and supporters.
- What athletes are facing right now as CONADE approaches. Demanding qualifying standards and limited chances to compete locally.
- Why “race sharpening” matters. Training is not enough if you cannot test yourself against stronger fields.
- How Oax Sport supports athletes. Travel, lodging, entry fees, shoes, gear, and training equipment, depending on the case.
- How athletes should approach a request. Plan early, propose a clear goal, and give us time to build a campaign.
CONADE prep and the reality of qualifying
I shared that I was training with around 20 youth athletes, roughly 14 to 20 years old, who are preparing for the CONADE season in the coming weeks. We also talked about how strict qualifying marks can be, especially in sprint events.
One example we discussed was the U18 100 meters. The standard being asked is around 11.20. Last year, the fastest times in Oaxaca were closer to 11.40 to 11.50. That gap sounds small, but in sprinting it is a big ask.
I also explained why a “small” improvement is hard. In sprinting, improving even a hundredth requires many details to come together. The start. The first steps with force. The arm drive. The stride. The rhythm. And because the race is short, you do not have time to fix mistakes mid-run.
Why Oaxaca needs more competitions
One point I wanted to make clear is this. Athletes can feel great in training, then travel and face a different level. Other states race more often. They arrive more confident because they have more experience under pressure.
Oaxaca runs very few competitions each year. If you cannot travel, you do not get enough chances to sharpen your race skills. That is why we keep pushing for more competitions, more travel opportunities, and better planning.
What Oax Sport is and how we support athletes
We started in 2020 because we wanted a practical way to help athletes keep moving forward when costs stop them. Today, volunteers help us run support programs and athlete projects.
Support can look different depending on the athlete and the need. We have helped with entry fees, transportation, lodging, and items like training shoes, clothing, and training equipment. We focus on what removes the biggest barrier in that moment.
I also said this clearly. We do not keep a fee from athlete campaigns. Our goal is to move support to athletes. That is why we document support and publish reports. People who donate want to see that the support is real and that it reached the athlete.
How support works. Campaigns and running tours
When an athlete asks for help, we do not promise that we already have a set budget waiting. Instead, we build a plan to raise support. One way is through fundraising campaigns on platforms we can share publicly, with clear goals and clear use of funds.
We also talked about a model that has worked well for us. Running tours with visitors, including experiences booked through Airbnb. We run with visitors, they pay for the experience, and that flow helps athletes. I explained it like this on air. The payment is split. 50% goes to the athlete and 50% goes to Oax Sport. That Oax Sport portion works like a reserve that can help the athlete later, for travel, training costs, or competition needs.
This also creates real connections. Many visitors are runners. Some have coaching experience. We talk. We share goals. We explain what an athlete is trying to do. In my experience, many donations for campaigns come from those same visitors. They see the work up close, and they choose to support.
I also said something important. We want more athletes involved in these tours, not just the same faces. When more athletes participate, more athletes meet supporters, and more athletes can build their own network.
Who can request help
The host asked a direct question. Do athletes need to already be “established” to receive support.
My answer was balanced. Many athletes who request help already compete and have a clear objective. That helps. But we also want to support younger athletes who are just entering competitive sport, especially around ages 14 and 15. What matters most is commitment and a real plan, not trying for one season and disappearing.
I also said athletes should propose ideas. Sometimes we are not the ones with every answer. Athletes know their needs and their local options. When an athlete proposes a plan, we can back it formally with letters, documentation, and a clear campaign structure.
What we ask from athletes
We do not ask for “extra physical work.” We ask for basic engagement and documentation. A photo, a short training clip, an update before a competition, and a recap after. Donors want to see the athlete. That visibility helps the athlete and helps future athletes too.
How to contact us and when to ask
The host asked where people can learn more. I shared that athletes can reach us through Oax Sport social media, and they can also contact me directly. If an athlete wants to request help, the timeline matters.
I recommend 2 to 3 months of lead time. When someone arrives one week before travel, there is very little we can do. With more time, we can plan a campaign, coordinate documentation, and organize our schedule to support more athletes.
What is next
This episode launched the segment. In the next episodes, I will bring athletes and supporters to the mic. We will talk about results, goals, real costs, and what athletes need to keep progressing. We will also explain, step by step, how an athlete can request support and what makes a request realistic.
How you can support today
Donate: https://oaxsport.org/support-us/donate/
Contact: https://oaxsport.org/contact/
Listen every Thursday
Listen live every Thursday to the Oax Sport segment inside Tribu al Extremo (106.1 FM), from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Oaxaca time. You can also watch live on Facebook (Tribu al Extremo / Tribalex).
Last updated: February 28, 2026
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