This week marked International Gypsy People’s Day, a date dedicated to celebrating and promoting visibility for Gypsy culture, which has traditionally been burdened with prejudices. One of the initiatives aiming to combat these prejudices is Pucela Kaló, a futsal club based in Valladolid composed entirely of individuals from the Gypsy community. Through sports, this team endeavors to instill values in its players and alter the misconceptions surrounding them. Juan Jiménez, a player, one of the captains, and a co-founder of the club in 2020, shares his story.
Pucela Kaló
Pucela Kaló emerged during the pandemic, though they didn’t commence competitive play until 2021. From a sporting perspective, they’ve been remarkably successful, securing two consecutive promotions in their first two years. In the current season, they sit second in the league with promotion already secured, several games remaining. “We focus on both the sporting and social aspects,” Juan emphasizes. All team members either hold jobs or pursue studies, aiming to “present a different image of the Gypsy community.
Often, we are associated with scrap metal and markets. While that may be true, it also connects us to negative stereotypes,” he admits. “Of our 13 members, eight have completed compulsory education, some possess university degrees or vocational qualifications, while others are self-employed with multiple businesses. For instance, I work as a social educator,” explains the team’s ‘number nine’, who characterizes his teammates as “young individuals, integrated into society, who happen to be Gypsies but lead lifestyles and pursue endeavors that defy stereotypes.”
Gypsy People’s flag
The team, represented by a shield bearing the Gypsy People’s flag in green, blue, and red, has garnered attention beyond borders. Their jerseys also sport these colors and emblem, while their popularity on social platforms like TikTok, where they boast over 10,000 followers, has drawn interest from other cities. “We’ve received orders for shirts from all over Spain,” Juan reveals. Led by President Juan Jiménez (not our protagonist) and coach Antonio Escudero, the club is now expanding into youth divisions. “We’re planning to establish a ‘B’ team, a youth team, and a cadet team,” the forward shares.
To achieve this, they organized a tournament involving dozens of Gypsy boys aged between 12 and 18 from various neighborhoods to scout new talent. Pucela Kaló maintains ties with schools and institutes in Valladolid, leveraging these connections to promote positive behavior among youngsters. “Those who fail to adhere to our standards will face sanctions, including exclusion from games and training sessions,” Juan explains. Through football, Pucela Kaló endeavors to underscore the importance of values and encourages dedication to studies. “Furthermore, if they engage in misconduct within the community, they are removed from the team,” adds Juan.
Nonetheless, the project faces challenges. “We met with the mayor, who appreciated our initiative and noted our positive impact on local fields,” Juan states. “However, following changes in the Valladolid City Council, we were promised a follow-up, which hasn’t materialized yet,” he laments. Despite the setbacks caused by shifts in local politics, the Pucela Kaló project stands as a testament to how sports, specifically futsal, can positively contribute to society. By combating prejudices and advocating for better integration of the Roma population, the club’s values have resonated beyond Valladolid, garnering thousands of admirers who applaud its vision and objectives.