Long before basketball and football, Mexico’s indigenous invented their very own athletic competition that involved a ball and a court: the Ballgame of Mesoamerica. Today, in Apizaco, Mexico, a group of athletes is trying to bring back the nearly-forgotten sport.

A Mexican coach named Iván Yerena has co-founded a national league to preserve the game. He teaches teenagers what’s known about the rules and how to play it.

Eighteen Mexican states have joined the nationwide league. And this year, the first team outside Mexico has been founded in Los Angeles.

Meet our Game Changer Iván Yerena and find out more about the ancient sport invented by Mexico’s indigenous.