Our Youth: Little League Champions of the World

Our Youth: Little League Champions of the World

August 31, 2026

Yesterday, the kids from Curaçao convincingly defeated the American team in the final. It is only the second time in history, and this is anything but normal. An island with a population of just 150,000 has defeated countries such as Japan, Korea, Nicaragua, and the United States. Countries not only with populations in the millions, but also with extraordinary sports facilities and investments.

Once again, it confirms where our human capital lies: not primarily in cognitive ability. But whatever the explanation, we invest too little in our youth, education, and sports. Yet our young people show us time and again that they are worth the investment. The year 2026 will go down in history as the year Curaçao became the smallest country ever to make its debut at a FIFA World Cup and won the Little League World Series for the second time.

It is therefore strange that the Enkuesta Social found that six out of ten citizens do not participate in sports. It is equally strange that a minister responded to this victory by saying that it is good for further promoting our tourism. The Carrying Capacity Study has already indicated that we are dealing with overtourism.

And it is painful that earlier promises made to these young athletes have still not been fully kept.

On August 29, 2023, Curaçao’s Prime Minister, Gilmar “Pik” Pisas, pledged an investment of 3 million guilders for the restoration and completion of the Little League stadium in Muizenberg. He made this official commitment during a festive ceremony at Brionplein, where the baseball players received a grand welcome after winning the international title at the 2023 Little League World Series.

In July 2024, the government eventually allocated 4 million guilders for the renovation and development of the Little League Ballpark at the Cirilo Chirino Ballpark.

It is sad that the stadium is still not finished. They will probably give these young athletes another laptop and a mobile phone. But never have these young people been rewarded with a scholarship.

We do not invest in our youth.

Miguel Goede