In Chiclayo PAHF had the opportunity to talk to Peruvian officers Alvizuri Daniel González (Umpire) and Juan Manuel Pérez León Márquez (Judge).
Q. What do the XVII Bolivarian Games symbolize for Peruvian Hockey?
Juan Manuel Pérez León Márquez (JMPLM) - First of all it means our first official synthetic pitch. This allows us to reach a new level in the Peruvian hockey, we are finally able to train and improve techniques to be truly competitive in international hockey tournaments.
They are also an excellent opportunity to present the hockey outside Lima and has definitely created a curiosity about our sport. This is a great small step to further development.
Daniel González Alvizuri (DGA) - For Peru, the Bolivarian Games symbolize three things: First, is the first time we organized an international hockey tournament while also the introduction of the hockey to the Bolivarian games. Second, the installation of the first synthetic field hockey pitch allows our selected team to train on the same surface on which international tournaments are played. Third, the games force us to decentralize the development of hockey from Lima and work in several localities of the country.
Q. Juan, What are the impacts of this new facility for the development officers?
JMPLM - The new field will allow us to prepare for international tournaments, especially by being able to invite different teams to play either the selection level or teams at the club level. This will force local officials to be more professional in order for the matches to flow more easily.International tournaments are a great opportunity to receive top-level officials who are always willing to teach and support hockey development.
Q. Daniel, how this facility in Chiclayo going to be used to increase the number of Umpires in Peru?
DGA - Having now this synthetic field, we can organize national championships in which umpires will be a group that would come with the sole purpose of umpiring. In addition, we may train people linked to Chiclayo hockey as umpires.
Q. How often do you plan to provide training to development officials and umpires?
DGA – We will take advantage of training cycles of the national teams and the national championships that will take place in Chiclayo for umpires to improve their skills. Similarly, the development of the hockey in Chiclayo to promote the emergence of local umpires who will join the existing national umpires.
JMPLM - By having this pitch at a different site to Lima, where hockey clubs are concentrated, we are required to make many arrangements to train, organize matches and the local championship. This will be used for every game, every tournament, to develop officials, so each meeting will also be a learning session.
Q. What impact does this have for Peruvian Hockey in general?
JMPLM - The first thing that comes to my mind is to decentralize our sport. To see the grandstands full of Peruvians encouraging your selection is an indescribable feeling. There is a palpable curiosity about our sport. People of all ages come and ask for the rules and wanting to know when hockey is being played in Peru. Soon we should have clubs and schools in Chiclayo to include a team of hockey.
I'm sure the selected Peruvian team are excited when they hear people in the stands and shouting encouraging. This motivates a lot and allows them to play even better. Playing at home is always exciting. Now we are living it, finally.
DGA – It forces us to develop hockey out of Lima. And a good hockey growth in Chiclayo allow us to demonstrate to national sports authorities that it is worth investing in hockey outside Lima.
Visit the official site at www.panamhockey.org for all information, updates and pictures of the hockey that is part of the XVII Bolivarian Games now going on in Chiclayo, Peru, from 23 to 30 November 2013
