Yucatán Hockey: Athletes Train Without Field, Parents Cover Costs | Sol Yucatán

The Yucatán State Sports Institute (IDEY) has agreed to cover transportation costs for youth hockey teams heading to the 2026 National Olympics in Guadalajara, Jalisco, following pressure from parents and the Yucatán State Hockey Association. The agreement, reached recently, provides limited support for the athletes, who have not had a designated training facility for the past six months.

The teams – under 18 and under 15 men’s, and under 15 women’s – will compete at the Pan American Hockey Stadium in May. Carlos Pérez, a delegate of the association, reportedly became emotional upon receiving confirmation of the travel funding, according to reports.

For half a year, the young athletes have been without a consistent place to practice. Previously, they utilized the facilities at the La Inalámbrica Sports Complex, but increased demand from other sports teams led to the hockey association losing access to the space. This forced parents to seek and fund alternative training locations.

Families have been covering the costs to apply the Lic. Benito Juárez García Sports Unit, paying 500 pesos for each two-hour session. The financial burden is compounded for players from municipalities outside of Mérida, such as Hunucmá, who must also rent vans for transportation at a cost of 2,100 pesos per trip. These travel expenses are borne entirely by the families.

The association is now awaiting a decision from IDEY regarding a permanent training location. Representatives have requested a synthetic grass field measuring 100 by 150 meters. The IDEY is located at Calle 60 no. 312 x 21 Col. Alcalá Martín, Mérida, Yucatán, and can be reached at 942.00.50, according to official listings.

The current Director General of the IDEY is L.E.F. Mauro Armin Lizama Cordova. The institute coordinates all sporting actions within the state, organizes mass events, supports championship coordination, manages financial assistance, and collaborates with the national sports commission (CONADE), as outlined on the Yucatán state government website.

In a separate development, Cecilia Guadalupe Puc, a member of the Yucatán scout group 12, was appointed as the IDEY’s director for a day as part of the 2026 scout week activities, according to a recent Facebook post by the IDEY.