Hockey in Peru : "The Peruvian Hockey Federation (FDPH) does miracles ... "
We spoke with Jorge Querejeta, Head Coach from Peru, minutes before the start of Peru Men's National Team face Venezuela. Jorge 'Bici' Querejeta, Olympic experienced coach and highly competitive player, is still an active player in First Division at San Fernando Club from Argentina, whenever his duties allow.
Q: When did you take over as coach of Peruvian National Team and how is the coaching staff working under your direction?
R : I started in June 2012 with a 2-year contract that expires in June 2014. The Technical Staff under my command is composed by a Sports Methodologist (Diego Martinez), a Coach for men (Andrés Burga), two coaches for women (Ricardo Cruz and Arturo Márquez), a physical trainer (Alex Quintero), a Team Manager (Diego Carvalho) and the nutritional supervisión of Romina Garavaglia. The microcycles program lasts around 1 to 2 months with lapses of 10 days.
Q: How did the teams prepare for the Games ?
A: We prepared in microcycles, as outlined, since the end of the South American Championship and went for a “tuning tour” to Buenos Aires from 4 to 14 November to warm-up for the competition.
Q: What are the expectations?
R: To continue moving towards with hockey development in Peru and benefit from the natural impulse that thefirst pitch in the country will bring. Furthermore, we expect another one to be quickly installed in Lima.
Q: You have the women's team at the Games, which is important for the growth of Hockey in Peru. Has the number of women hockey players grown in Peru?
A: Yes, it is in the process of growth. It is important because the hockey is practiced in schools and this is a good thing, now the girls are just missing the development of clubs for more exposure.
Q: A major hockey complex is inaugurated in Chiclayo and there is a promise of the Olympic Committee to build two more (wáter-based) in Lima in 2014. Is Peru growing stronger for the Pan American Games 2019 in Lima?
R: That's what we all expect , but it is not an easy task, hockey is not a popular sport in Peru and therefore we do not have significant financial support, FDPH makes titanic efforts and achieves miracles in this regard. Usually the efforts are rely on countries federations and unfortunately, hockey does not count with important financial support from the governing bodies in Pan America to install the facilities, which is the main obstacle to the development of hockey in America.
Thanks Bici, all the best!
Visit the official PAHF site at www.panamhockey.org for all information, updates and pictures of Tournament of Hockey XVII Bolivarian Games that are held in Chiclayo, Peru, from 23 to 30 November 2013.
