News Americas, MIAMI, FL, Fri. May 11, 2018: Football fever has hit Peru as it finally prepares to make a grand entry in the 2018 FIFA World Cup after a long gap of 36 years, following a 2-0 win over New Zealand in November last year.
Unlike any other year, football fans are beaming with hope, and more and more students are getting enrolled in local training institutes.
In the capital Lima, parents inspired by this have even started sending their kids to notable professional football training schools.
Many training schools which used to once enroll only a handful of these children, are now registering record number of football enthusiasts.
“The number of students in our school used to be small, as our national team has never qualified for the World Cup and people have little enthusiasm for football. Generally speaking, each of our campus can attract over 150 children, but no more than 200 on average for summer course. But this summer, because Peru is qualified for the World Cup, the enrollment has increased to 300-400, and the number even reached 500 in some campuses,” said Antenor Paucar, principal of football school of Alianza Lima.
With 177 years of history, Alianza Lima is one of the most successful football teams of Peru, and has won a total of 23 League championships. Students here pay 200 Soles (about 60.66 U.S. dollars) every month to get enrolled for training. Once they prove their ability, they get recommendations to participate in professional competitions.
Like these kids, even parents are ecstatic with the idea of been able to send their sons to one of the best training places.
“I am a huge football fan, and my son has grown up in this football-loving environment. Peru makes it back to the World Cup after 36 years. It is wonderful,” said Claudia, mother of a five-year-old student.
The 2018 Russian World Cup will open on June 14. Twelve stadiums in 11 Russian cities will host matches, with the final set to be held in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on July 15. (Source: CCTV)
