Chávez and Evo preside over inauguration of Copa América

BY FELIX LOPEZ —Granma daily staff writer—

SAN CRISTOBAL.—“Football is like a mirror in which reality is reflected,” affirmed Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Frías at last night’s inauguration of the Copa América tournament in the capital of the Andean state of Táchira, accompanied by Bolivian President Evo Morales, and Argentine star player Diego Armando Maradona, who was responsible for kicking off to start the game between Venezuela and Bolivia, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

From yesterday to July 15 approximately, the whole of Venezuela will vibrate to the rhythm of soccer. “For Bolívar,” confirmed Chávez in his speech of welcome to the 12 competing teams, “the homeland is America; today, for us, the Cup is America.”

With these words, the passion for soccer of a whole nation was unleashed. The modest but beautiful inaugural ceremony celebrated the traditional Venezuelan songs and dances of hundreds of men and women who have worked extremely hard over the last two years so that today the country has nine excellent stadiums (some newly constructed, others expanded and remodeled) in the nine host cities where they are realizing the dream of organizing the 91-year-old Copa América for the first time in this South American country.

The collective joy, the pride felt by people on the streets and in the centers where giant screens have been erected for this soccer event to be enjoyed, reflects the people’s gratitude to the Bolivarian government which committed itself to the successful organization of the most important football tournament on the continent and the oldest in the world.

On the first day, news came of the heavy defeat suffered by Uruguay – twice World champion and 14 times champion of America – who lost 3-0 against Peru.

And in the inaugural match, the Venezuelan and Bolivian players gave their all on the pitch and finished with a draw. At the end of the game, while the teams were congratulating each on the field, two friends – Presidents Evo Morales and Hugo Chávez – also embraced each other in the stands.