Improving the well-being, quality of life and health of the Rancagua community is the fundamental mission of the Municipal Sports Corporation, which, since its creation in 2015, has grown exponentially to become a true reference for the hundreds of people who daily occupy the sports facilities it manages.
The global pandemic, which undoubtedly affected physical activity, was only a pause for all the people of Rancagua who, when the health emergency was lifted, eagerly returned en masse to the free workshops and schools that were available to them.
The challenge was no small one, from the forced pause we returned to full occupancy and the multiple programs were doubled in schools, workshops and the “More Sport in your Neighborhood” program that brings sports and different disciplines to the different towns and villages throughout the city.
But was that enough?
Doubling the offer, having facilities and hiring teachers was only the first step. Today, when society is facing a crisis of credibility in institutions, stress, coexistence and obesity, it was necessary to take a step further that contributes not only to the practice of sports, but also to the comprehensive development of the user and the high-performance athlete.
In 2024, Rancagua is expected to not only host and become a benchmark for major sporting events, but also seek, through its Sports Corporation, to provide comprehensive training from a multidisciplinary team made up of a nutritionist, a kinesiologist and a sports psychology specialist.
Every day, Nutritionist Pamela Toro, Physical Education Professor and Sports Psychology specialist Pedro Valenzuela and Kinesiologist Marcelo Soto visit the different workshops and training schools to provide, from their knowledge, all the necessary elements to improve the athlete’s performance, correct amateur errors and encourage sports practice in talks that result in permanent health and well-being.
Nutritionist Pamela Toro tells us that: “My experience in the sports corporation has been very pleasant in the interaction with the team itself, from the management team to the teachers and guardians with whom we interact directly. From my area as a Nutritionist, I have liked the reception they have had in terms of education through workshops and more individualized attention, the good reception from teachers, athletes and guardians. I hope to continue to fill myself with knowledge to be able to be as up-to-date as possible on the questions that arise from my side and in this way be able to provide sufficient tools so that we can continue to break down myths regarding nutrition and sports.”
A similar opinion is held by the Physical Education teacher and specialist in Sports Psychology, Pedro Valenzuela, who points out: “My experience has been quite positive, although there are still many challenges, seeking to reach the largest number of schools and beneficiaries. Thanks to the teachers, we have been able to coordinate various interventions and activities that benefit children, adolescents and their guardians. Additionally, we hope that each of the actions will be a contribution to their training, seeking comprehensive development and promoting the enjoyment of sport.”
Finally, Kinesiologist Marcelo Soto highlights: “As a personal experience, the work in the corporation’s schools has been quite rewarding and enriching, always trying to be able to contribute from the human and professional field to each teacher or participant who requires any type of help or intervention. The reception by the teachers and the participants of the schools has always been very positive, with a lot of willingness and desire to want to learn new things, which has led to good feedback and an increasing interest from all participants is noted, so that in the future a good growth is projected, where the need to have professionals who can contribute in the health field is already reflected as a very good contribution for everyone.
As always, the idea is to continue aiming for the optimal development of all school participants, and thereby improve their professional and life quality.”
Within the mission of the Municipal Sports Corporation of Rancagua, its General Manager Juvenal Osorio Soto points out that: “As a first thing we are giving space to all age ranges, covering with a broad vision the entire sports community of the city, not only in our facilities but in all the places we can reach with tennis, entertaining dance, yoga, salsation, taekwondo, handball, judo, karate, soccer, etc., an endless number of disciplines that seem to us an important and significant grill available to the citizens, and as I said before, for everyone, from a 3 or 4 year old child to our dear seniors. The incorporation of the multidisciplinary team is an important milestone and the culmination of a desire that we have been maturing for quite some time, undoubtedly a contribution to the athletes that makes us very happy. And I cannot fail to mention the Scholarship Program for Outstanding Athletes, which helps finance sports practice at high competitions. I would like to highlight that the program includes two athletes who participated in the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, the fencer Florencia Cabezas and the boxer Tamara Maturana.”
The Municipal Corporation highlights the importance of sports practice in society for health, good living, longevity and of course healthy entertainment, adding that the different municipal sports complexes are and will be open free of charge to the Rancagua community along with all the programs that make the city’s sports culture grow day by day.
All of the above is enriched by great news that undoubtedly continues to position our city as a benchmark for major sporting events. The choice of Rancagua as Sub-Venue for the U-20 World Cup to be held next year is a major challenge that fills not only the Municipal Sports Corporation with pride, but also the Rancagua society. “It will be hard work,” says the director of the Corporation and adds, “In the next few days we should receive the FIFA specifications and we will get to work on what concerns us as a municipality and corporation, improving the facilities of the training centers that FIFA has already visited 3 times, fields one and four of the Patricio Mekis Complex and the Northeast Stadium (known as ANFA). Their playing area should be expanded, locker rooms and lighting, drainage, irrigation system and aesthetically their surroundings should be improved as well. It should be noted that all the venues will remain for the inhabitants of Rancagua. It is not just an investment for football that lasts a few days, it is permanent for the city.”
All information on municipal workshops and schools is available at www.deportesrancagua.cl, on Instagram and Facebook at @rancaguamasdeporte and on Twitter @rguamasdeporte, and via WhatsApp + 569 6320 4353.
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