As part of Eastern’s Latin American Heritage month, the Latin American Student Organization will be showing “30 for 30” sports documentaries at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Coleman Auditorium.

“30 for 30” is a documentary-style TV show on the ESPN channel where 30 directors shoot 30 separate stories centered on athletes. The specific “30 for 30” episode they will be showing will focus on soccer and its relevance in Latin America.

Jose Deustua, a history professor who planned the showing, said it will focus on the Argentina World Cup in 1978 as well as the Chile World Cup in 1962.

“It’s very important for sports,” Deustua said.

At the time of the Argentinian World Cup, the government was in a bloody dictatorship, with many being killed, kidnapped and tortured. The film shows the contrast of the excitement of the World Cup and the harsh realities facing the Argentinians.

Duestua said it is important to show these activities, even when it is centered on sports, because of their political purpose. He added it shows political context, and how sports are used for a political purpose.

“It’s not just an athletic activity out of context, but it happens in a particular political, economic society,” Deustua said.

Deustua said students would still be interested in the documentary.

“It’s become more and more popular in United States,” Deustua said.

Eric Bruce, a sophomore sports management major, said there is more to “30 for 30” than just sports.

“My favorite ‘30 for 30’ is the Two Escobars. This showed me how influential the drug lords in poor countries can be,” Bruce said.

Bruce explained Pablo Escobar, a drug lord in Colombia, provided the young people in the area a great place to play soccer. He would pay for soccer facilities to be built.

“I like the different perspective it gives me on major sporting events,” Bruce said.

Qian Cheng can be reached at 581-2812 or qcheng@eiu.edu