This Sunday, October 27, the mythical National Stadium celebrates 72 years of foundation, as a faithful witness to the best moments of Peruvian sport, as well as well-deserved recognition throughout its history.
On Monday, October 27, 1952, the then president Manuel A. Odría inaugurated the venue that is currently known as ‘the national team’, replacing the old Stadium, which had a field and wooden stands gifted by the English government.
Remodeled in 2011 and with a current capacity for 43,661 spectators in the four stands, and approximately 3,500 in the boxes, the offices of the Peruvian Sports Institute (IPD) are today located in the also called ‘Colossus of José Díaz’. and facilities of some National Sports Federations such as boxing, table tennis, badminton, billiards, kung fu, among others.
In the first sports arena in the country you can also see the Sports Laurels, which is the highest honorary reward that the Nation confers on those who have distinguished themselves exceptionally in sports, the last winner being, Stefano Peschiera, for having won the medal. bronze in sailing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
In addition, it has the Olympic Museum that pays tribute to world sport and the sporting achievements of Peru. In this space there is a monument to Edwin Vásquez, a shooter who won the gold medal at the 1948 London Olympic Games, and a gallery of photos, posters of the Olympic Games, medals, sports philately and historical objects of national athletes who They gave laurels to the country.
Likewise, the grand opening ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games is remembered.
GREAT TRIUMPHS
Among the most glorious moments of Peruvian sport that took place in the National Stadium is the classification of the women’s volleyball team to the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games. This is how Esperanza ‘Pilancho’ Jiménez, who played on that team under the command of Akira Kato, remembers it. and in 1996 she was president of the IPD, until now the only woman in that position.
“A space was created on the court to play volleyball and we were able to qualify for the Olympic Games in Mexico. The National Stadium is really a story for me, I am very fond of it, because I started playing there when I was 14 years old and I finished there when I was 32. The Stadium filled my entire being and has enjoyed our sorrows and joys. I say thank you for everything you allowed me to experience and because you accepted us to be part of your story,” the former athlete recalled.
Another of the unforgettable events in this venue occurred on Sunday, May 17, 1959, when the soccer team beat its counterpart from England 4-1 and had the largest attendance in its history: 50,306 spectators.
BLESSED GRASS
Almost 58 years later, in 2017, our representative made the country vibrate with its qualification for the 2018 Russia World Cup, after defeating New Zealand 2-0. That Wednesday night, the grass of the National Stadium It was watered with the tears of emotion of the Peruvian soccer players for returning to the highest soccer tournament after more than three decades.
The field keeps that memory alive and is very well cared for thanks to people like Ronald Morales, gardener (from a supplier company), who is in charge of keeping it in excellent condition.
“I have worked taking care of the field since 2011 and you can feel the spirit of the triumphs that have been experienced here. We always do our best to keep it in good condition. From the national team they ask us that the cuts be between 23 to 25 millimeters so that the ball rolls without problems and our players can develop their football. In summer, a reconditioning is done to have it optimal for the whole year. In winter, oversowing is done with Ray-grass type grass, and then we put the Bermuda grass back in. It is watered for a maximum of half an hour a day to always have it well,” says Morales.
WORLD FIGURES
The National Stadium also has the legendary boxing ‘Bombonera’, where Alberto ‘Chiquito’ Rossel began his path to the light flyweight world title won in 2012.
“The National Stadium is my second home. Having trained since my adolescence in ‘Bombonera’ is something I will never forget. I experienced triumphs and defeats that shaped me as an athlete and person. Now that I am in the talent training part I have mixed feelings, because it is the place where I have grown. I can tell the National Stadium that I love it very much and that I respect it for everything it allowed me to experience,” said the former boxer.
World figures such as former boxer Muhammad Ali and soccer stars such as Pelé, Diego Armando Maradona and Lionel Messi have performed at the National Stadium and have left traces of their talent, making the country’s first sports venue even bigger. Happy 72nd years, National Stadium!
