The Paraguayan Delegation of 576 Paraguayan Sports Ambassadors who will assert the locality during the Asunción 2022 South American Games was officially presented this Wednesday morning in an act where the President of the Republic, Mario Abdo Benítez; and the Minister of Sports, Diego Galeano, proceeded to flag the national representatives.
The National Track Cycling Center, in the Paraguayan Olympic Park, was the setting where the Paraguayan All-Sports Team received the National Pavilion that will wave at the opening ceremony of the Odesur South American Games, which for the first time in the history, in its 12th Edition it will set foot on Guarani land.
The Paraguayan Head of State was in charge of delivering the Paraguayan Flag to golfer Fabrizio Zanotti and t-shirt Nicole Martínez, who will carry the national banner this Saturday at Defensores del Chaco, during the opening ceremony of the Asunción 2022 Games.
During the act, the President of the Republic, Mario Abdo Benítez, expressed that “one does not believe that one can live these unique moments that are so significant. We are before the prelude to one of the most important moments in the history of Paraguayan sports”.
“We had not measured the impact and how long the health crisis was going to last and the resources that we were going to need, always with that hope and faith, we made the decision to advance in the destiny of our nation, in the strength of our people and that Paraguay demonstrate before the world and the region its resilience and greatness. Today we are hours away from the beginning of this historic moment that will remain forever in the history of Paraguayan sports,” said President Abdo.
He affirmed that he is sure that the 576 athletes will represent with dignity and will make Paraguay shine these 15 days “my gratitude, support and wish them the best, we will be like fans shouting for the dear red-haired girl. Thank the almost 4,000 volunteers and all those who made it possible, that today we are calm and with the doors of this great nation open for visitors who I am sure will leave in love with our beloved Paraguay”.
Likewise, and in a surprise moment, President Mario Abdo announced that after this great investment, they made the decision to propose Paraguay as the venue for the next Junior Pan American Games 2025. “The merit belongs to you and with this effort and great infrastructure that that challenge remains possible” he concluded during his speech before the Team Paraguay athletes.
Likewise, the Minister of Sports, Diego Galeano addressed those present, remarking that “Paraguay is ready to bring this kind of events to our country, that is the main objective. It took a lot of work from many people, I think we can all agree today that it was the right decision to hold these Games in the most difficult times”. The head of the sports portfolio indicated that he feels the full backing of the President of the Republic for all the support.
“These Games mark a before and after in national sport and through national sport in the education of so many young people who are going to be enthusiastic about all the infrastructure and the level that is going to be seen in the Games these days,” said the Galen Minister. Likewise, he thanked all the 4,000 volunteers who are the heart of the Games.
For his part, the head of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and ODESUR, Camilo Pérez, excitedly said that “this is very exciting. I want to thank the work of all these years. Mr. President, this is a work of many years that has now advanced and exploded. Fast forward like 12 years. His government made the sport explode, Mr. President”.
Pérez also addressed the athletes present. “We are living a historic moment and this, dear athletes, is everything for you,” he concluded.
Athlete Appreciation
Fabrizio Zanotti was the spokesperson for the athletes during the meeting and remarked that “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making these games possible. Since childhood it is our dream to represent the country and this time doing it in front of our families is unique. All the effort will have its reward when we climb to the top of the podium to sing our Anthem”.
The Paraguayan Delegation at the Asunción 2022 Games will be made up of a historic figure of 576 Registered Athletes, the largest number of Guarani athletes representing the country in an international multidisciplinary event. Likewise, the participation of Paraguayan athletes is expected in a total of 599 competitions of 34 sports and 53 modalities.
Likewise, Team Paraguay will take part in a contest with representatives in the two exhibition sports disciplines to be Padel and Chess. The national contingent is completed with 172 Team Officials and 79 members of the multidisciplinary team and staff of the Delegation.
After the flag-bearing and inauguration of the Velodrome, the President of the Republic, the Minister of Sports and the President of the Olympic Committee toured the sports infrastructures such as the 3×3 Basketball Courts, Skating Track, National Hockey Center, National Soccer Center and Polígono of Precision Shooting, culminating in the Paraguayan Equestrian Club of Mariano Roque Alonso, venues of the #ASU2022 Games.
