Costa Rica’s preparation for the Sudamérica Rugby C Championship in Guatemala next month received a boost with a half-hour visit by the nation’s President.

With the team training at the Liceo Franco Costarricense over the weekend, President Luis Guillermo Solís and First Lady Mercedes Peñas showed their support to the Costa Rican Ticos.

With rugby working alongside the Ministry of Education and Sports, through a development programme, Talenticos, it was important that the President came to see the team at work.

“We are delighted to have had Mr and Mrs Solís with us,” explained Ramón Cole de Temple, Chairman of the Federación de Rugby de Costa Rica. “His support strengthens our game and will help to promote it.”

Costa Rican rugby has been working together with the Ministry through the Talenticos project and also works closely with Sports Minister Carolina Mauri and Alba Quesada, Director of ICODER (Instituto Costariccense del Deporte ya la Recreación), as well as the National Olympic Committee. 

“It was very pleasant for the national team to host the President,” added Cole de Temple. “His visit pushes us to continue to work to enhance the name of our country by growing our rugby-playing community.”

Growth and values

After meeting a series of tough criteria, rugby will receive an area at the Parque Metropolitano La Sabana in the heart of San José, the country’s capital, within walking distance of the federation’s headquarters at the Olympic Stadium.

Here they will be able to build their own national rugby field, in a park, covering an area close to a square kilometre, which has other sporting fields and is a much-visited area of the city.

The process will require a lot of hard work, but Cole de Temple believes “it will mean a new dawn for the game in the country as it will not only give us visibility, but a place from where to develop.”

Although President Solís is not a rugby follower, he is fully aware of the development of the game in his country. Born in Spain, the First Lady knows and enjoys the game, meaning the meeting was most enjoyable and positive. 

“Being able to meet the country’s President is part of a process of hard work within sports and education; it is because we have a committed organisation. I think that in order to be noticed, you must give unequivocal signs of growth and values.”

Costa Rica finished second in last year’s championship and will begin their 2016 campaign against El Salvador at the Estadio Doroteo Gamuch Flores on 4 December, after hosts Guatemala tackle Panama. The tournament continues on 7 and 10 December in Guatemala City.

Fixtures

Sunday 4 December
10:00 – Guatemala v Panama
12:00 – Costa Rica vs El Salvador

Wednesday December 7
18:00 – Winner match 1 vs Loser match 2
20:00 – Winner match 2 vs Loser match 1

Saturday December 10
10:00 – Third place play-off
14:00 – Final