Lima 2019 reached today one of the most important milestones when the stadium of the National University of San Marcos was handed over to the Peruvian Football Federation. It will be used by the U-17 team to host the South American Championship, which will be qualifier for the Brazil World Cup.
This stadium has been remodeled by the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee and will also house the football men and women competitions of the Pan American Games.
The Lima 2019 Executive Director Carlos Neuhaus Tudela, accompanied by the President of the National University of San Marcos Orestes Cachay, the Peruvian Football Federation President Agustín Lozano and the Lima 2019 Project and Infrastructure Manager Wilhelm Funcke, attended the handover. Additionally, the U-17 team members, who trained for the first time in the remodeled stadium, were present.
Carlos Neuhaus also talked about how the remodeling of this venue will benefit Peruvian football. “I’m very proud to have convinced the board of directors to host the football events in San Marcos. It’s a reality that has been completed in less than a year. We’re leaving top-level sports infrastructure and within the budget that was determined in advance,” he said.
“The budget for the Games was 4300 million, but we’ll finish with a lower amount. The most important thing is to leave no “white elephants.” We’ll leave an important legacy for the country. Peru is playing here and that’s why we all play,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the President of San Marcos University was pleased with the handover of the stadium because “it’s an important event for the history of the university.” “We’re happy that they have supported us and we’ll have one of the best stadiums of the country. We’ll host the South American Championship and the Pan American Games, so we’ll be on the spotlight,” Orestes Cachay stated.
The Peruvian Football Federation President Agustín Lozano showed gratitude for the support of Lima 2019 and the San Marcos University. “We’re very grateful for the willingness to give us the stadium. This shows we’re working together for the sake of Peru,” he declared.
Modern Venue
The Stadium of the National University of Marcos is part of the improvement and modernization project. Construction works started in May 2018 and ended before the announced deadline, which was originally set for March 31, 2019.
It has an official football field and it is circled by an 8-lane athletic track. Additionally, it has four fixed grandstands, a VIP box, a press area, four dressing rooms for athletes, a common area for athletes, as well as an exclusive entrance and exit for athletes' buses. Also, it has storages for diverse cleaning materials and sports items.
The stadium will host the U-17 South American Championship, with the presence of 10 countries of this part of the continent. The opening will take place on Thursday March 21, at 17:10, with the match between Venezuela and Ecuador. Later, Peru will play against Chile.
It is important to note that football is one of the 39 sports included in the Pan American program, to be held between July 26 and August 11. Two weeks later, the Parapan American Games will take place between August 23 and September 1.
About Panam Sports
Panam Sports (formerly known as Pan American Sports Organization - PASO) is the governing body of the Pan American Games and its structure and actions are defined by the Olympic Charter. The Pan American Games Movement is made up of the National Olympic Committees recognized by Panam Sports, and each of the Pan American Games Organizing Committees.
Panam Sports is the leader of sports and the Olympic Movement in the Americas. Panam Sports encourages the sports development and supports the work of its 41 National Olympic Committees members in order to inspire more world-class performances and the next generation of athletes across our region.
Panam Sports works closely with athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOC), Organizing Committees of all regional Games, Pan American Sports Confederations, International Federations (IFs) and the International Olympic Committee to ensure the success of their main event: the Pan American Games.