Volleyball Teams receive the Flag from Mexican President

Mexico City, Mexico, August 7, 2014 - The Mexican national volleyball teams which will compete at the FIVB World Championships in Poland and Italy were presented with the national flag during a special audience with President Enrique Peña Nieto at Los Pinos, the official residence on Wednesday.

Players and officials of the volleyball teams, headed by Jesus Perales Navarro and Rafael Anaya Galindo, President and Secretary General of the Mexican Volleyball Federation, attended the ceremony that took place on the Francisco Madero Plaza, in the grounds of the presidential house.

The members of the national delegation that will participate in the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing and the men’s basketball team qualified for the world championship were also present at the ceremony.

“Being part of a national representation means something special,” President Peña Nieto said in his speech. “Mexico is a country with young and talented people with preparation and a mentality that can make them able to compete and succeed in the world.”

He remarked that the young players of different sports are a great example of the potential within the country. “You have achieved many positive things and such a great success among thousands of youngsters, this is not simple, you are already winners,” the President added.

Gema Leon, who has played for Mexico in many international tournaments, starting at youth levels, was chosen by her teammates as the flag bearer to represent the volleyball players.

Other athletes attending the event with the chief of state included NBA’s Brooklyn Nets player Jorge Gutierrez.

President Peña was accompanied by other government authorities including the ministers Emilio Chuayffet of Education and Jose Antonio Meade of Foreign Affairs.

Carlos Padilla Becerra, Mexican Olympic Committee President, Jesus Mena Campos, Director of the Sports National Commission and Jimena Saldaña de Aja, Secretary General of the Pan American Sport Organisation, also attended the ceremony.