Rommel Pacheco executes his best ‘jump’ and is named new head of Conade

After several weeks of speculation, Rommel Pacheco was announced as the new head of the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (Conade).

Claudia Sheinbaum, president-elect of Mexico, announced that the former diver will take the reins of the organization, replacing the controversial former Sonoran sprinter Ana Guevara.

The appointment of the Yucatecan, who has sympathized with the PRI, been a member of the PAN and is now in the ranks of Morena, puts an end to rumors about the arrival of the former América goalkeeper, Moisés Muñoz, the Olympic medalist Bernardo Segura or even the politician Miguel Torruco Jr.

In a career spanning more than two decades, Pacheco participated as a member of the national team in the Olympic Games in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. After finishing sixth in the three-meter springboard event in Japan, he decided to end his career and concentrate on politics.

His first contacts were with the PRI in 2011 during the governments of Ivonne Ortega and Rolando Zepeda, both in Yucatán. Shortly afterward he was a deputy for the National Action Party, where he promoted some initiatives in sports. In addition, also with the PAN, he was part of the Sports Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, where he collaborated closely with María José Alcalá, president of the Mexican Olympic Committee (COM).

Pacheco’s appointment as director of Conade sparked controversy due to his career in different political organizations and with agendas that are often opposed. On social media, it was recalled that the former athlete maintained an adverse position against the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. In a video, the former diver boasts of having voted against the initiatives and the electrical reform proposed by the president.

In 2022, Morena accused him of being a traitor to Mexico for voting against the electricity reform and electoral changes.

It is a reform that is not done well, that is not supported by all the bases, that you should not approve this reform.the Yucatecan commented in a publication.

Pacheco ran for the PAN during the elections for mayor of Mérida, but the results did not favor him. Before the presidential election, he announced his change of party to support Sheinbaum. His decision generated debate, since then he became a candidate to lead Conade.

This change brought him severe criticism for his decision to change his political affiliation. Some of his former colleagues even called him a traitor.

Opportunists and traitors can be recognized even by jumping off a 10-meter platform. I told you so.said the then vice-coordinator of the PAN bench, José Elías Lixa.

Unlike other athletes who ran for elected office, Pacheco holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in human capital management.

We congratulate Rommel Pacheco on his appointment as the new director of Conade, a wise choice by the president-elect. He is a great ally of the Olympic movement and an example of dedication at every stage of his career as an athlete. It will be an honor to team up to promote sport in Mexico.the COM posted on its social networks.

In recent years the popularity of the world medalist increased after his participation in various reality showswhich helped him gain followers and have greater projection on social networks.

The 38-year-old Yucatecan will also become the youngest director to head Conade.

A major challenge

Upon his arrival at Conade, Pacheco will find a tense atmosphere in Mexican sport.

When he begins his administration next October, he will face the problems that Guevara left him, such as the conflict with water sportsmen.

The topic is not foreign to the Yucatecan, since in September 2023 he led a conference together with other divers, in which he launched a call to support the selected ones in their preparation for the Paris Olympic Games.

They are not alone, we call for the cooperation of the sports authorities so that the problem is resolved.he commented on that occasion.

There, Pacheco announced that he was preparing a complaint against Guevara for the mismanagement of the institution.

I had to be on the athlete’s side, you have to focus on training and competing, you can’t be aware of the Conade regulations.he added.

Guevara, a silver medallist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, will step down amid controversy over investigations into his handling of public funds.

Last February, The Day published that the Superior Audit Office of the Federation (ASF) filed two criminal complaints against Conade, which were added to the one filed in August 2023.

In the first, the agency is being investigated for alleged embezzlement due to irregularities detected in audit 143-DS Conade, carried out on the 2020 public accounts, which suggests damages to the treasury of 377 million pesos.

Also included is the complaint of audit 141-DS, of the 2020 public account, in which the agency is accused of having serious irregularities in the execution of the corresponding expenditure.