After so many years of struggle for it, 34 years, precisely, we are very pleased with the decision taken a few days ago, on 28 December, Innocent Day, in Pamplona, at the assembly organized by the International Federation of Basque Ball. Well, from now on we will have the opportunity to participate as a Basque selection in the official Basque football competitions held at international level. It is a pity that only the licensed Basque pelotaris of Álava, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa can compete, because the CAV Federation representing those territorial federations is the one that has been internationally recognised and not the Basque Country that makes up the diaper countries, as we and many others would like. That is why, for us, the achievement has not been enough, because that official status is only a part of what we are demanding.
That is why we cannot regard what has been achieved as a total victory, because we still lack an important part of that official status. Because, I insist, ours is a selection of Basque ball that takes into account the seven countries, because in the end and in the same way, it is a right of the seven. We are because we went!
We recognise that the step taken in Pamplona has been very important, among other things, so that now, as a whole, we can opt for the official status of this Zazpiak Bat, because we will have more access to all the tools necessary for it.
But, in spite of that, we recognise that the step taken in Pamplona has been very important, among other things, because now, in order to achieve the Zazpiak Bat's official status in its entirety, we will have more access to all the tools necessary for this. And that's a huge achievement.
On December 28, as Innocent Day, I would say that it became a historic day, that you transformed it, that we transformed it. However, and above all, knowing the usual “enemies” of our selection or, more directly, the enemies, and that the decision to bet on the selection of Basque ball has been very painful for them, of course, it is appropriate to take them prudently and that everyone continues to work honestly from their own field. Because, above all, because we are clear that this small and great step has been achieved thanks to the struggle and the vindictive courage of the citizens of every year, and then others, using partisanship, have wanted to sell that small victory as if it were just their own. But we know each other and we know that it is the result of the work of all these years.
Now, it is right that all of us, with hope and courage, should follow the path of that officiality that most of the Basques dream of. And if we do so, I'm sure we'll have the opportunity to live another historic day in Euskal Herria. Congratulations to everyone, you deserve it!
Martxel Toledo Garmendia
Former member of ESAIT and member of EHEPSAM (Basque Ball Selection Support Movement of Euskal Herria)