Bolivian Govt to Award Outstanding Brazilian Soccer Player

La Paz, Jan 19. -Brazilian soccer player Ronadinho Gaucho, winner of the FIFA Ballon d´Or (Golden Ball) Award in 2005, will receive the Medal of Sports Merit on Friday, granted by the Bolivian government, at a ceremony in the city of Sucre, official sources the Quemado said on Thursday.

Ronaldinho, forward and main player for the Brazilian Flamengo club, is training in Sucre to play against the local Real Potosi club in the Santander Libertadores Cup. The government will take the opportunity to grant him the award in the presence of President Evo Morales, a follower and soccer player himself.

According to government sources, the awarding ceremony will be held at the government venue in Chuquisaca province, and wilwhile being attended by Morales.

The two teams will play against each other in the qualification round of the main regional club competition, at the Victor Agustín Ugarte Stadium.

Ronaldinho, 31, aims to reach the 2014 Soccer World Cup in Brazil, while being part of the national team after its former coach Dunga left him out of the 2010 FIFA Cup in Germany. (Prensa Latina)