Peru’s public National University of San Marcos, the oldest university in all of the Americas, will refurbish its stadium in order to stage events during the country’s hosting of the 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games.
The Games will take place in the Peruvian capital city of Lima and the university has this week agreed a deal to host both women’s and men’s football events.
Lima 2019, the local organising committee for the multi-sport event, will now renovate the university stadium with seats for 32,000 spectators, as well as a new athletics track and upgraded accessibility standards.
In addition, the venue will be fitted with a brand-new football pitch and training facilities that meet standards set by football’s global governing body FIFA.
The entire project is expected to cost 47m PEN (€11.6m/$14.4m/£10.4m) and work is scheduled to begin next month.
Lima 2019 president Carlos Neuhaus said: “We are delighted to have signed an agreement with the National University of San Marcos to stage the Lima 2019 football competition there. San Marcos is the oldest University in the Americas, and will soon be home to a world-class stadium capable of hosting a variety of international competitions.
“Legacy has been front and centre of our planning so we are particularly pleased by this agreement, which will benefit one of the continent’s top public universities, its 35,000 students and the surrounding community.”
Orestes Cachay, rector of the National University of San Marcos, added: “This is a unique opportunity to grow our institution. San Marcos will be on display to the world and 350 million people will see our university.
Image: EdgarMarca
