Carola Ochoa and her work for the lost from rugby: “I don’t have children but it’s like creating life”

His work for Memory, Truth and Justice is important. Because of that he had the help of a rugby emblem: Eliseo “Chapa” Branca. His investigation was transformed into a book “The lost in rugby”.

Carola Ochoa he started investigating on his own, with no help and little money, he traveled to several provinces as a backpacker. His interest arose after a trip in 2013 to Puerto Madryn to participate in Miguel’s Race, an athletic test in tribute to the athlete Miguel Sánchez, who disappeared during the dictatorship.

“In a plenary session organized by the HIJOS group, which took place in Puerto Madryn, there was talk of the missing rugby players belonging to the La Plata Rugby Club and it caught my attention because most of them are from the upper class and I had a lot of prejudices in this sport. AND I didn’t know I would find what I found last time.” Carol’s story telling.

In those early years, it was very difficult for him to get information, because “When I approached the clubs and asked, they caused a lot of mistrust. I needed someone to open the door for me.”

At that moment He decided to contact some references of Los Pumas. I felt that without help I could not continue. Sent a Facebook message to Elisha Branca and to his surprise this emblem of rugby responded to him.

“The message I sent him is like a bottle in the middle of the sea. And I immediately received the answer: “Yes, count on me, let’s do what is necessary to remember these people. I will always help you. So you continue, don’t relax'”, Carola remembered fondly.

From the looks of Chapa Branca everything has changed since then he contacted the clubs himself so that Carola could get the necessary data for your research work.

“I was a Pumita at 16 and a Puma at 18. I lived in a bubble. Once I was in a hotel in Wales, when a demonstration came by denouncing what was happening at the time in Argentina. And I came down and said: ‘Argentinians are rights and people’. I am always guilty of my ignorance. That’s why when I saw Carola alone, I decided to help her. I saved people, life and justice”reflects a who’s who of Los Pumas glory in the 70s and 80s.

On this topic Carola added: “The impetus and collaboration of Eliseo is related to the fact that when he was abroad he saw relatives denouncing what is happening here with the dictatorship and he said that nothing is happening, that in Argentina everything was fine. And then He dropped the file that in our country there are many disappearances, kidnappings, executions, torture. then I think for him it was a way to pay for guilt. And I think it turned out very well. It’s like breathing again. He took advantage of this call that I made to him to achieve this and I am calm, that behind this dream he supports everything ”.

The result of this research resulted in a book “What’s missing in rugby” which was published last year. Until now 165 cases were registered, but it is considered that more will appear. What happens is that you have to validate the data.

“There are many out there who have met an alleged militant who played rugby, but they don’t dare or don’t want to name him out of fear or shame. I think that clubs still have a lot to do regarding these issues. You have to live the truth, admit that someone is missing in the family”maintains the author of the book.

In addition to her research work, Carola has organized since 2016, in different provinces, the “National Tournament: Tribute to Lost Rugby Players”. This year it will be held in July in Catamarca and in November in Lomas de Zamora.

“I am excited to be recognized as a Human Rights activist. There is no political party behind what I do. I started backpacking alone in the provinces. The truth is crazy. I did the work of an ant. I don’t have children, but what I did was a way of creating life.” pointed out this researcher from San Juan who loves athletics.

-Why do you think there are so many missing rugby players?

-It is a collective game where it is dominant that it is all or nothing. In this sport you can’t save yourself. These children belong to the upper classes and rugby is a place where many values ​​related to unity are demonstrated. It is a very noble sport. AND These children, as militants, do not fear pain or death. One is biased, but the rugby people helped me a lot.

Chapa Branca made important contributions to the investigation.

-What do you hope will happen here that you started in 2013?

–I want the UAR and the sports and human rights institutions to help, That would be the best, but whether they help me or not, I will continue with the tournaments and my work in every part of the country. I would also like to contact Matías Lammens, but I will never have access. It is a break for the delegations that will be participating in these tournaments because everything is done through the lungs. All these years I have been closely associated with failure. But it taught me not to wait too long and move on. I would have given up if it wasn’t for Chapa Branca. He always tells me: “You don’t have to have high expectations because then the pain is great”. You have to do things for yourself.

-What does Chapa Branca represent for you?

– Is a person already never leave me that’s it He will never give up this dream. I’m sure of it. He is the bold player, who tells you things up front. I think there are very few people like him in this world. I admire him and he sends me his immense strength. He tells me that failures teach more than success and one has to get back up. Your support is important. The strongest thing I got from what I did was the help of Eliseo Branca. He is an extraordinary person.

If you want in-depth interviews, stories and ephemeris, follow the content of at an angle through TyC Sports. You can also register for free and indicate your preferences to receive notifications in your browser or download our APP (available at Android and iOS).