The death of Gabriela Pando: the mass farewell and the memory of her ‘transfer’ to Lucha Aymar

The news shocks. She is shocking and also hurtful. In response, a world of people came to say goodbye to the body of Gabriela Pando. Because his always positive spirit, his eternal smile, his good humor combined with the right dose of sarcasm and his broad generosity will live forever. She played for the Argentine national team for nine years and everyone who was close to her (coaches and teammates) called her a gazelle.

He was very fast in his movements and elegant in his runs. He was a great back and forth midfielder and seemed to make no effort to make his trademark runs down the right with the ball attached to his stick.

But beyond her characteristics as a player, Pando was one of those leaders who was always attentive to what her teammates needed. Luciana Aymar remembered her this Tuesday when “He brought us some homemade cakes to the girls from the interior who lived in CeNARD”.

With the best of all he shared everything. As players, on the pitch, at the 1998 World Cup in Utrecht, the first for Aymar and the last for Pando. Outside of it, in the Mendoza Champions Trophy 2014, in that tournament in which she gave way to the legend for being the last of her career and Colo (with that nickname and in every synthetic the national hockey recognized her) was his team leader.

From Pando Aymar even inherited the “8” of blue and white. After playing together in that ’98 World Cup, the number was free. He has always liked Rosario because he represents infinity. But Aymar also knew that that 8 had been used by someone who had marked her in those first days of absolute empathy. And memories forever.

The news that had an impact on the environment

The world of hockey is experiencing hours of pain due to the passing of Gabriela Pando, one of the historic players who at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games was part of the team that was part of the path that would give life to Las Leonas, four years ago. later in Sydney in 2000. .

“With deep sorrow we announce the death of Gabriela Pando, former player of the Leonessa, who wore the shirt of the senior national team between 1989 and 1998”, reads the statement from the Argentine Hockey Confederation.

The former hockey team player was battling a complicated illness and, as it turned out, had recently relapsed.

A few days ago Lucha Aymar had published a message of support for his partner: “Colito, we are all thinking of you”.

In addition to her career in Las Leonas, Pando (who won the 1992 Olimpia hockey championship) was a champion at age 16, in 1986, with Lomas Athletic Club. She would go on to repeat that achievement seven more times.

“Today is one of the saddest days for hockey. Gaby Pando, emblem of this sport, is gone. We already miss her, her friends, her teammates and everyone who knew her,” he said. the club of his loves wrote on his account. Instagram.

“She left her mark on the club as a symbolic, different player. Watching her play gave pleasure. Playing with her gave peace of mind, she could do everything, the ball on her stick was always safe”, continues the statement.

As stated in Lomas’ statement, after retiring from the fields, La Colo dedicated himself to teaching hockey in the schools of Monte Grande.

“As a coach she formed groups of players who, in addition to learning, wanted to play like her. We will remember her with her huge smile, her two braids, her shyness in the face of praise, her goals, her hugs and her his elegant ride,” he continues and closes: “We embrace all your big family. Colo, we will miss you.”