Santa Cruz opens its doors to international beach soccer

Santa Cruz is preparing to welcome five national teams for an international beach soccer tournament, an event local officials see as a major step for the city. The South Zone of the CONMEBOL Evolution League will run from September 9 to 13 at the Bernardo Silva Sports Park in the Abraham Telchi Olympic Village.

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It is the first time an event of this kind has been held. We fixed it up beautifully so people can be comfortable and enjoy a great spectacle.

Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay will compete in both the men's senior and under-20 categories. The two competitions will run in parallel under a round-robin format. Points from both categories will then be added together, and the team with the highest total will become South Zone champion.

The winner will earn the right to play the final against the North Zone champion, which will emerge from the other five South American national teams. Bolivia will begin its campaign against Argentina on Wednesday, September 9, with the under-20 match scheduled for 7 p.m.

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What is important is that it will generate a good economic impact in Santa Cruz because teams from four countries, as well as the national team, will come and stay in five-star hotels.

Hosting the tournament required work at the sports complex. The Departmental Sports Service allocated resources and moved machinery to prepare the court, which sits near the city's fifth ring road. Matches will be played in the afternoon and at night, making artificial lighting necessary. “It is the first time an event of this kind has been held. We fixed it up beautifully so people can be comfortable and enjoy a great spectacle,” said Reyes Antelo, the departmental sports director.

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Obviously, the competition will invite the people of Santa Cruz to turn out and watch, in what will be a fabulous weekend.

Antelo said the tournament could bring an economic boost because teams from four countries, as well as Bolivia's national side, will stay in five-star hotels. A VIP area and spectator stands will be installed at the park. After the South American competition, the court is expected to serve as a training venue for Bolivia's national and Santa Cruz teams, helping develop beach soccer in a city whose climate, Antelo said, suits the sport.

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The Bolivia and Santa Cruz teams will train there. The climate in Santa Cruz suits this sport.