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The official press conference was held today, featuring a wide representation of the local authorities and all the teams involved in the competition
The Visit Puerto Vallarta Cup kicks off on Friday on the western coast of Mexico, heralding the return of top-class international beach soccer to the region in the process.
The competition was officially launched today, with a the press conference held at the Press Conference Room of the stadium.
The mayor of Puerto Vallarta, Ingeniero Arturo Dávalos chaired the presentation, accompanied by Ramón González, Director of Tourism, Amador Hernández, Director of the COMUDE and Javier Aranda, president of the Fideicomiso de Turismo de Puerto Vallarta.
Humberto Carrera (MMC Multimedia), promoter of the event and BSWW Head of Competitions Josep Ponset, also director of the tournament, took part in the opening too, together with Angel Rodríguez, Mexican Beach Soccer Team captain and Maribel Domínguez, Women’s National Beach Soccer Team coach.
The sport’s calendar has not featured Puerto Vallarta since the city hosted the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship in 2010 but, from tomorrow, the region will see three days of exhilarating action on the sand.
And this is something on which both the Mayor of the city, Arturo Dávalos, and his colleagues at the Tourism and Sports departments are pleased to see, with Dávalos stating: “We want for Puerto Vallarta these kind of top-class international events, and having beach soccer back here with us is something we wanted”.
Puerto Vallarta is also hoping to strengthen this relationship, targetting higher goals: “The city has everything to become a top-notch venue”, Josep Ponset declared while the mayor highlighted that their objective is to host a CONCACAF Qualifier and, in the near future, a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
The relationship between tourism and sports makes beach soccer the perfect fit for a place like Puerto Vallarta, just as it makes Puerto Vallarta a perfect destination for beach soccer. This is why the common will is to extend the relationship for years to come.
The teams are ready
As the matches begin tomorrow, hosts Mexico will be back in action for the first time since their group-stage exit at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup back in April, with Ramon Raya’s side eager to put on a show for their home fans.
Mexico’s side includes an experienced spine packed with established international talent with Raya has also opted to add in some younger legs to complement his squad as they prepare to take on neighbours USA, CONMEBOL representatives Colombia and former world champions France.
As part of beach soccer’s continued commitment to enhancing the women’s game, the Visit Puerto Vallarta Cup will also feature two women’s teams – hosts Mexico and Spain.
Legendary Mexican forward Maribel Dominguez, a former striker for Las Tri, will take charge of the her national side as they take on the Spanish in back-to-back matches on Saturday and Sunday, with a penalty shootout to be held, if required, to separate the sides.
Taking charge of La Roja will be Joaquin Alonso – Spain’s men’s beach soccer team coach and the man who guided the women’s side to success at the Euro Beach Soccer Cup in 2016.
Watch all the games live from Puerto Vallarta at www.beachsoccer.com/schedule
