The President of Peruvian Hockey Federation announces that synthetic pitch for Bolivarian Games will be at Chiclayo. It will be located at the emblematic San Jose School.
It is big step forward, great news for hockey development in Peru. Gianni Delucchi, President of this sport announced that the first official pitch will be located at the emblematic San Jose school, in Chiclayo, and it will be ready for the Bolivarian Games in November. This will also help to decentralize the sport.
Is the pitch for Bolivarian Games located at Chiclayo?
We had a meeting that happened to be surprising to me. Jose Quiñones, COP President, invited the hockey board to a meeting in July. At that time we were informed we were going to Chiclayo. We have already been there, and the pitch will be awesome. The pitch will be located at the emblematic – more than 600 students, San Jose School. Once more I want to say that the place is awesome.
Why in a province and not in Lima?
It is difficult to find a site. Magdalena closed the door. We tried our best in Miraflores, it did not work either. We also planned a project for Costa Verde, but once again we could not go forward. We also tried at Universidad Agraria, but they needed two months to give a reply. We did not have that time. Chiclayo appeared as the opportunity and we took it. Besides we have been trying to decentralize hockey for a long time, and this would be the chance. We hope this site will ‘provide’ players to our National Team in the next years.
Why a sand pitch and not water pitch?
Because an investment of 1.5 million dollars in Chiclayo; on a pitch that will not have an intensive use is difficult. I would like to thank Gatorade, Jao, Play Station and Chery cars for their support.
Peruvian National Team will have to travel to Chiclayo for training, as this is the only pitch we have. What is the plan?
We have to organize periods of 10 days per month at Chiclayo before next tournaments. COP and Regional Government of Lambayeque promised support for tickets and accommodation.
Are the teams prepared for the Bolivarian Games? Do we have a chance to win the Gold?
Men’s Team will fight the gold and the women will fight a place in the podium. There will be 7 men teams and 4 or 5 women teams participating. Chile’s men team is the most difficult rival, but we can give them a good fight.
