How a 3,400-year-old ballgame survives in Mexico against all odds LOS LLANITOS, México (AP) — Mexico is embracing its ancient ballgame, ulama, as it prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This 3,400-year-old sport, nearly erased during the Spanish conquest, is gaining attention alongside international soccer. Ulama, played with a heavy rubber ball using only the hips, was once a ritual practice. Today, families like the Osunas in Sinaloa are keeping the tradition alive. While some see tourism as a revival tool, others worry it may distort the sport’s cultural significance. Authorities and players are working to preserve ulama’s heritage and introduce it to new generations.
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