Panamericanos Lima 2027: The importance of professionalizing sports

A few days ago my members from Panam Sports were selected File as the host of the city Juegos Panamericanos and Parapanamericanos del 2027. The US National Olympic Committees had more than one reason to choose our city as the capital: the sports infrastructure at an international level and in good conditions, the excellent experience that the athletes and managers had before, during and after the event or in the short term. (3 years) for the organization of the event (usually the venue is chosen with a 7-year expectation).

I keep wanting to be a part of it Organizing committee events of 2019 and many of us did not create her words Neven Ilic, president of Panam Sports, when I said in his speech, “We have the best games in history.” It was not an easy task, but in the end we accomplished it. A spectacular show.

Returning to my academic work, we are confident that we are on the right track to develop this industry, which we are as passionate about as it is. deport. Sometimes the steps were not as fast as we asked, but the direction in which the moment was right: professionalism.

For this we need more capacity create professional deported. Not only professionals in sports management, sports science or physical education. We also need more specialization in different areas of science such as psychology, nutrition, physical therapy, sociology, among others. Therefore, dear Juegos Panamericanos Lima 2027, we must increase not only the number of programs but also the coverage to bring these opportunities to the whole country.

Junto with one a larger offer of specialized capacitiesIt is important to dramatically increase research on these topics. It doesn’t matter much, you have experience as a visiting professor in one of the best sports management programs in Canada and I can say that there is not much difference between the teaching dynamics and my classes in Peru. It makes a big difference if the teacher who teaches has academic publications, either in scientific journals or books on the subjects they teach. Much of what we learn in Peru comes from academic texts from other countries. Including case studies in a context different from ours. We have to learn it because it is the available material that we currently have, but the great opportunity is to develop in our context and with a more specific focus. In the end, the general academy, not only the Peruvian one, is also enriched by this.

In conclusion, not only should we worry about having a amazing deportation eventand also to pay more attention to the development of professionals who will allow our sport to have the impact in values ​​that is expected in a society that does not have as much space for unity as sport. Without a doubt, this is an opportunity to have one of the best games and surpass what was achieved in 2019.