Cañada Strongest - Great Bolivian victory in the Chaco War

 A large number of players, members and directors of The Strongest club fought during the war with Paraguay between 1932 and 1935. By 1933, 600 members of this very paceñísima institution were on the battle front. At the outbreak of the Chaco War, in July 1932, the championship of La Paz Football Association was at the end of its 1st. The Strongest was one point behind in 2nd place, so the Central Council of the association decided to suspend the championship and award the year's title to Bolívar and the sub-championship to The Strongest, which, like the other institutions, joined the national effort, sending players, members and directors to the battle front. By 1933, The Strongest club had more than 1,500 members, including ladies, gentlemen, youth and children.

Of these, 600 left for the sands of Chaco, joining the First Army Corps. They did so not in auxiliary services, but in the front line. Later they would continue to join in similar numbers until the cessation of hostilities. The publication Semana Gráfica, in issue number 24 (April 8, 1933), made a tribute to The Strongest on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee, highlighting how the club contributed to the war campaign with the human support of directors, players, fans, and partners.

In the Secretariat of The Strongest club located in Cólon and Comercio streets, living the moment with singular patriotism, it was inaugurated, 'La correspondencia del soldado', to collaborate with prisoners of war and relatives of officers and soldiers. - 89- -It was headed by Don Benito Sagárnaga, a singular man and outstanding stronguista.

In that sense, according to his records, it can be pointed out that up to July 1933, between letters and cards, more than 450 requests had been dispatched. These, as can be understood, came from people unable to do so personally, and wishing to inquire about the health or whereabouts of their sons, brothers or husbands who were in the line of fire. Benito pointed out that they did it absolutely free of charge, providing, in addition, paper and obituaries that bore our emblem, splitting up certificates and requests to the General Staff, etc.

In an interview for La Semana Gráfica, made by the correspondent Chasqui, Benito Sagárnaga said very enthusiastically: "Thousands of letters have been sent to date and our radius of action does not only include the Chaco; we also maintain our correspondence to the prisoners held by Paraguay. These letters, like all of them, bear our seal. You can see the satisfaction that this emblem must give to the stronguista in foreign lands". The purpose of the soldier's correspondence was also to help the wounded and sick.

To this work was added the fundraising that was done among the affiliates, organizing several kermes and social activities to collect funds, which were later destined to help the Bolivian combatants.

Among the outstanding atigrados players, members and directors who marched to the conflict were Captain Víctor Hugo Estrada Cárdenas and Lieutenant José Rosendo Bullaín, who was flag bearer and senior brigadier of the Military College, whose soccer career is similar to Estrada's. Meanwhile, Colonel Luis Emilio Aguirre was the first fallen in Boquerón. Lieutenant Lucio Vila was also another stronguista fallen in the battlefields. Lieutenant Colonel José Ayoroa, considered one of the best military men the Army ever had, stood out. They were joined by Carlos Constantino Noya and second lieutenant Carlos Zalles Guerra, a member of The Strongest who fell in combat. The same fate befell Adrián Murguía Vargas and Pedro Escalante, distinguished stronguistas.

Among the names that also stand out is that of Emilio Estrada, captain of the first division soccer team. Also not to be forgotten are Second Lieutenant Severo Medrano, Lieutenant Luis Peña, Luis Daza Aparicio, Hugo Gamarra, Alfredo Pascoe, Lisímaco Gutiérrez, Julio Zuazo Quintanilla, Adolfo Díaz Romero, Gerardo Peláez, José Toro, Hugo Alípaz, Nils Galdo, Luis Cornejo and Renato Sainz. Also mentioned are the surnames Llanos, Morales, Medina, Muñoz, Montoya, Alarcón and Alborta Rada. After the cessation of hostilities, the citizens of La Paz gradually returned to their daily activities.

The Government of the time rewarded The Strongest Club with the land located between Illimani Avenue and Yungas Street in the Santa Barbará neighborhood, where the old La Paz Bullring used to stand. This Sports Complex, the first of its kind in the country, was named after its mentor Don Gustavo Carlos Otero, where the Antonio Asbun Soccer School of our children's divisions is currently located.

In 1935, the Football Association of La Paz (AFLP) quickly organized the tournament of the year, and the club The Strongest, with a new team, won the first post-war soccer crown, among nine participants. After several decades, the club later incorporated notable players of Paraguayan origin into its ranks, some of whom even adopted Bolivian nationality and played for the national team, such as Luis Galarza, Wilfrido Cañellas, Eligio Martínez, Julián Jiménez, Miguel Gariazú and Pablo Escobar.

The Strongest is not just another sports club, but above all, a school of civility, altruism and patriotism where many generations of young people have been molded physically, spiritually and morally.