Image
CAPTIVATING OPENING OF FOOTBALL 7-A-SIDE AT THE PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES
Football adapted for people with cerebral palsy gather a large number of spectators at Villa María del Triunfo to cheer for Peru. The action will continue tomorrow, and you can show them your support by buying your tickets at lima2019.pe/tickets.
When the passion for football surpasses the limits of physical impairment, you can watch a sport that can move any spectator. The beginning of football-7-a-side, an adaptation of the most popular sport for people with cerebral palsy, amazed everyone at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center.
While Peru’s debut was not encouraging, as it lost 10-0 to Brazil, the current two-time Parapan American champion, the highlight was that fans crowded the stands of the rugby stadium (where football-7-a-side is held) to celebrate these amazing Para athletes’ performances with a standing ovation. The “Canarinhos” dominated the game from start to finish, making clear their supremacy in the continent.
The Peruvian supporters, “La Blanquirroja”, encouraged the Peruvian national team, accompanied by Teletón volunteers and Pan American champion Kevin Martínez. The latter followed the player Jesús Díaz with special attention as he will also be part of the Teletón, a national solidarity campaign, that will take place on December 8 and 9.
“We are happy with fans supporting us and encouraging us to keep going, even if the score is not with us. It is very nice to face a team with an impressive record and that placed third in the World Cup. I’m very happy with all that love,” said Jesús Díaz.
Brazilian top scorer Jefferson Cardoso also said: “It is an honor for us to have played in this field and with such a beautiful crowd. Only those who are on the field know the emotion you feel when you are encouraged to surpass yourself every day. God blessed us to win today and begin our journey to the gold medal.”
Action will resume tomorrow at Villa María del Triunfo and Peru will face (09:30) Colombia at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center. The event has a round-robin format (six teams in total) in which the two best teams will fight for the gold on August 31.
SUPPORT YOUR TEAM FROM THE STANDS
If you want to be part of this wonderful event, tickets will be available at the ticket booths of the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center and at the 11 authorized points of sale in the city. There will be a 50 % discount for children under 18, senior citizens and people with an impairment.
You can also purchase them online, at the website lima2019.pe/tickets, where the competition schedules are detailed. In the case of e-tickets, printing will no longer be necessary since customers can show their e-ticket from their mobile phones at the entrance of the sports venue.