Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz – Athletes from across the Cuenca Carbonífera region showcased their talent at the Centro Provincial de Alto Rendimiento Deportivo (CePARD) in Río Gallegos, securing their places in upcoming provincial games. The recent competition featured both conventional and Para-badminton (PCD) categories, drawing participants from several localities within Santa Cruz province.
The CePARD facility, located on Pje. El Chaltén 89 in Río Gallegos, served as the central hub for the provincial qualifying event. The competition highlighted the growing participation in badminton throughout the province, with athletes demonstrating skill and determination in both individual and team events. For those unfamiliar, CePARD functions as the primary high-performance sports center within the province, responsible for identifying, training, and supporting athletes representing Santa Cruz in regional competitions.
Local Athletes Shine in Qualifying Rounds
Representing 28 de Noviembre, Araceli Moya, Leticia Moya, and Lautaro Pastrana competed in the conventional badminton category. In the PCD division, Franco Perea and Yonatan Fernández also from 28 de Noviembre, demonstrated impressive form. Río Turbio also made a strong showing, with Thiago Jurado participating in PCD badminton, alongside Franco Suárez in the conventional men’s category, and Isabella Suárez and María Paz Matus competing in the women’s conventional division.
The qualifying tournament determined which athletes would advance to represent Santa Cruz in future games. In conventional badminton, Sofía Avaca and Luján Carraro, both hailing from Río Gallegos, secured their spots in the women’s bracket. Valentín Luguercho (Río Gallegos) and Franco Suárez (Río Turbio) qualified in the men’s division.
The Para-badminton qualifiers saw Leyla Chacón and Morena Parra, both from Río Gallegos, advance in the women’s category. Lautaro Perea of 28 de Noviembre and Thiago Jurado of Río Turbio earned their places in the men’s PCD division. These athletes will now prepare to compete at the next level, representing the province of Santa Cruz.
Technical Support and Officiating
The success of the event was also due to the dedicated team of professionals involved. Milagros Dinono and Rodrigo Gerván provided technical support for the conventional badminton categories, while Diego Hernández and Pablo Villalba oversaw the PCD divisions. Camila Saldivia and Joaquín Avaca served as the officiating referees, ensuring fair play throughout the competition.
CePARD’s role extends beyond simply hosting events. The center actively works on team formation, selecting and training provincial teams for competitions like the Juegos Araucanía and Juegos EPADE, among others. The activities offered at CePARD are free and open to all ages, though participation typically requires a medical clearance certificate obtained through registration with the Secretaría de Deporte.
A Range of Activities at CePARD
Beyond badminton, CePARD offers a diverse range of sporting activities. For children and young people, options include Judo, Taekwondo, Children’s Physical Education, Hockey, and Volleyball. Adults can participate in Strength Training, Functional Training, Dance, Pilates, and G.A.P. Training. A specialized program caters to adults over 50 with specific physical activities and New Com, and there’s a dedicated Adapted Sport program.
The facility’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its Para-badminton program, providing opportunities for athletes with disabilities to compete and excel. This focus on accessibility aligns with CePARD’s broader mission of promoting sports participation across all segments of the population.
The recent badminton qualifiers at CePARD represent a significant step for these athletes as they prepare for the challenges ahead. The dedication of the athletes, coaches, and officials underscores the growing enthusiasm for badminton in Santa Cruz province.
The next step for these qualified athletes will be their participation in the upcoming provincial games, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and compete for further recognition. Details regarding the dates and location of those games will be released by the Secretaría de Deporte in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates on these athletes and their progress as they represent Santa Cruz province on the regional stage.
