Carlos Tobasia is bringing ReadySetPlaySports to Bucaramanga, Colombia, helping establish the organization’s presence in his city and expand its mission of making youth sports more accessible. ReadySetPlaySports collects, refurbishes, and redistributes sports equipment to children and families who face financial barriers to participation. Growing up around the passion and energy of Colombian sports, Carlos became increasingly aware that talent and enthusiasm are not always enough to get young athletes onto the field. Equipment, transportation, registration fees, and other expenses can determine whether a child gets the chance to participate. This motivated Carlos to bring ReadySetPlaySports to Bucaramanga and address these barriers within his community.

Bringing the organization to Bucaramanga has allowed Carlos to approach a social issue from an entrepreneurial perspective. He is helping develop a local model for collecting equipment, building partnerships, and connecting donated resources with athletes who need them. Through this work, he hopes to turn ReadySetPlaySports’ mission into a lasting community effort.

His interest in business extends beyond sports. Carlos participated in the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Leadership in the Business World program, where he explored entrepreneurship, business strategy, and leadership alongside students from around the world. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, experiences that have strengthened his belief that business can create value while addressing meaningful challenges within communities.

For Carlos, being an athlete represents much more than competition. It can provide young people with confidence, discipline, friendships, and a sense of belonging. Through ReadySetPlaySports, he hopes to reduce the financial barriers that can prevent children from experiencing those opportunities.

Looking ahead, Carlos plans to continue developing ReadySetPlaySports’ presence in Bucaramanga and explore opportunities to expand its reach throughout the region. His broader ambition is to combine business and social entrepreneurship to create lasting opportunities for others—starting with giving a young athlete the chance to step onto the field.