The basketball team of the Institución Educativa Adventista 28 de Julio in Tacna, Peru, was crowned champion of the 2025 School Sports Games in Category C after a final rescheduled for an unusual but deeply meaningful reason: fidelity to their Christian principles, specifically, to the observance of the Sabbath.

The institution is an Adventist school, providing quality primary and secondary education in the region.

Saturday in Public Opinion

The grand final of this championship was scheduled for July 19, 2025, a Saturday, a day Adventists keep sacred in obedience to the fourth commandment in God's Word, the Bible. Without hesitation, the team decided not to attend the match, prioritizing their commitment to God above any sporting result.

News coverage.

Photo: Radio Uno Tacna

News Coverage.

Photo: Radio RCC Tacna

The decision initially generated uncertainty about the outcome of the tournament, but it also sparked collective reflection on respect for religious freedom and spiritual integrity in school sports, leading to news coverage by various media outlets and a stir in various regions of the country.

Faith and Victory

The teachers, parents, and Adventist leaders made efforts to reschedule the game, which local authorities moved to Thursday, July 24, at the Zela Coliseum in Tacna. In a final filled with excitement and hard work, the Adventist team defeated the traditional champion, Cristo Rey School, 44 to 42, breaking a three-year unbeaten streak for that team.

“Thanks be to God, because He made everything possible, He touched people's hearts; thanks to everyone who prayed for our team, for their messages on social media,” said basketball coach Raúl Israel Roque Gallegos.

He also reported that in athletics, student Fredy Miguel Mamani Cutipa also won for Adventist Education in the 60-meter dash.

This achievement not only places the Adventist school at the top of the academic ladder but also elevates it as an example that spiritual values are not negotiable, school leaders say. More than just a sporting triumph, it was a living lesson in faith and consistency for the entire community, even in the most pressured moments. For these young people, winning the championship was important, but remaining faithful was their true victory.

The original article was published on the South American Division Spanish news site. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.