The Mesoamerican Ballgame Association USA or AJUPEME USA (Asociacion de Juego de Pelota Mesoamericano USA) is the main sports organization for Ulama de Cadera in the United States.[1][2] It is a member of the International Mesoamerican Hip Ball Game Association based in Mexico.[3]
| Sport | Ulama (de Cadera) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2019 |
| First season | 2023 |
| Organising body | International Mesoamerican Ball Game Association |
| No. of teams | 3 |
| Country |  United States |
| International cup(s) | Mesoamerican Ball Game Championship |
Format
editAJUPEME USA plays Ulama de Cadera, or hip ulama, meaning it plays the iteration of Ulama with hips.
Players wear suede and leather around the midsection and a faja, a woven belt. An 8-lb rubber ball that is approximately 8 inches in diameter is used to play Ulama de Cadera.[4] The ball is made from the rubber of an Arbol de Castilla tree and sulfur.[5]
Gameplay
editIn the US version of ulama de cadera, each ulama team has seven players on the field at any time. The game has two halves with 20-minutes each, with a ten-minute halftime. Players can only contact the ball with their hips.[5]
Domestic teams
editWithin AJUPEME USA, there are currently four delegations: California, Arizona Practice, Nevada, and Yankwik Mexiko (New Mexico). Each delegation governs the sport in each of their respective states.
| Team | Location | Delegation | Est | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oceyolotl de San Fernando Valley | San Fernando, CA | California | 2019 | Formerly Itzpapalotl San Fernando Valley |
| New Mexico Macanas | Albuquerque, NM | Yankwik Mexiko | 2022 | |
| Atlético Tlecoyotes de San Diego | San Diego, CA | California | 2023 | |
| TBD | Yuma, AZ | Arizona Practice | TBD[4] |
National team
editNational record of AJUPEME USA:[3]
| Year | Host | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Orange Walk Town, Belize | 3rd place |
| 2022 | Xcaret, Quintana Roo, Mexico | 3rd place |
References
edit- ^ "Group of athletes look to bring back Ulama, one of the world's oldest sports - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ Calderon, Jannelle (2023-10-19). "Ancient Mesoamerican sport makes a comeback in Las Vegas". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ a b ajupemeusa. "ajupeme-usa". ajupeme-usa. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ a b Hyson, Katie (2023-07-28). "Indigenous athletes are reviving an ancient sport in San Diego". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ^ a b Castro, Francisco; Sol, San Fernando Valley Sun/El (2019-06-26). "Mesoamerican Ball Bounces into San Fernando". The San Fernando Valley Sun. Retrieved 2024-06-09.