PARAGUAY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Latin American soccer players flock to inaugurate soccer museum

Record ID: 254009

  • Title: PARAGUAY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Latin American soccer players flock to inaugurate soccer museum
  • Date: 30th January 2009
  • Summary: LUQUE, PARAGUAY (JANUARY 29, 2009) (REUTERS) PHOTO OF THE ARGENTINE TEAM WITH THE WORLD CUP WORLD CUP BEHIND GLASS THE FIRST GOLD CUP WON BY URUGUAY IN THE FIRST WORLD CUP
  • Embargoed: 14th February 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Paraguay
  • Country: Paraguay
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3T0258M258RH82GXK7FE6HZ2N
  • Story Text: Paraguay inaugurates a new Soccer Museum at a ceremony featuring many of the regions soccer stars.
    Some of South America's biggest sports stars are expected to attend the inauguration of the first Latin American Soccer Museum in Paraguay on Thursday (January 29).
    The museum, which is located in front of the headquarters of the South American Soccer Confederation (Conmebol), showcases the events, teams, trophies, and balls that have created the history of the organization.
    The opening of the museum is a proud moment for former athletes like Colombian goalie Rene Higuita who are being honored by the museum.
    "Really beautiful, spectacular, very significant. Important that people get to know it," he said.
    Hundreds of names will be on display in recognition of the players from ten countries who have represented the Conmebol since it began July 9, 1916.
    Trophys from monumental wins such as the World Cup and the Jules Rimet Cup are on display.
    Former Argentine player and now journalist Quique Wolf said the museum is an important tribute.
    "It seems to me totally necessary and fantastic that they did it, because world soccer must always have something to remember all of the great accomplishments," he said.
    It is part history and part nostalgia for players who are reminded of great moments gained by the region on the world scene, like the World Cup Victory by Argentina, and the first major win by Uruguay.
    Veteran Brazilian placer Cafu remembered the thrill of the early days when his country superseded their own expectations in the international arena.
    "In early competitions Brazil came out on top and was able to gain titles nobody had imagined," he said.
    The state of the art building features a 1000 square metre audiovisual section, with 6 continuous screens and a giant ball with 360 degree videos, highlighting almost 100 years of the sport in Latin America.
    Manuel Burga, President of the Peruvian Soccer Federation, said the museum gives the region the recognition it deserves.
    "We consider South American soccer is worthy, and we hope it can continue growing."
    FIFA President Joseph Blatter, and his predecessor Brazilian Joao Havelange, head the list of high profile figures on hand to honour the occasion.
    Soccer legends Edson Arantes do Nascimento "Pelé" and Alfredo Di Stéfano have also been invited.
    Sports delegations from Costa Rica, Haiti, Japan, Scotland, Spain and Somalia are in attendance.
    Some 29 South American ex-soccer stars will be honoured for their contributions including: Carlos Bilardo, Antonio Rattín, Enrique "Quique" Wolff, Francisco Sa, Angel Berni, Raimundo Aguilera, Arsenio Valdez, Erwin "Platiní" Sánchez, Hugo Ricardo Talavera, Eugenio Morel, Cafú, Branco, Julio César Romero, René Higuita, Aldo Florentín, Elías Figueroa, Carlos Caszely, Jaime Pizarro, Saturnino Arrúa, Alex Aguinaga, José Cevallos, Héctor Chumpitaz, Teófilo Cubillas, Pablo Forlán, Oscar Washington Tabárez, Roberto Fernández, Luis Mendoza, José Luis Dolgueta and Stalin Rivas.
    The building housing the museum is also designed to function as a fully functioning convention centre for international tournaments and meetings. The convention centre has a 1200 square metre area, opening onto another 2200 metre room with 2280 seats, and a VIP room to host some 40 people.
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