Honduras created some interest, thanks to the good World Cup performance – and it was ‘discovered’ that the country resembled somewhat a black African country in football matters: it was divided somewhat, having a region of English-speaking and predominantly black population, a bit in conflict with whites, blacks, and natives, speaking Spanish. Whatever social tensions existed, in football terms they translated into favoritism of one or the other group, perhaps not as bad as it was in Africa. The World Cup performance was interpreted in this way: English speaking Hondurans were perhaps the key , for they had discipline and rational approach the Spanish-speaking Latinos lacked. The blend of the two cultures worked well. Was that true or not is hard to say. What can be said is that Honduras run a national championship for a long time and had old clubs.
Olimpia (Tegucigalpa), founded in 1912, won the 1982 championship. They were traditionally leading club, as usually clubs from capitals are, and this was there 13th title.
Standing from left: Oscar Garcia, “Indio” Ruiz, Roberto “Pirata” Fernandez, “Nilo” Martinez,
Mauricio “Guicho” Funez, Oscar Banegas.
First row: Alberto Merelles, Victor Romero, Hector Ucles, Alberto Centurion, Mario Hernan Juvini Carreño.
English-speakers were not presented here, judging by names, and the club was represented by only 2 players at the World Cup, none of which is pictured above. Whatever it was, locally Olimpia was strong even if other clubs – Real Espana, certainly – had more ‘stars’.