Future of Pelota in Chile

Danik Arana and Miguel Ramirez of the Centro Vasco of Santiago, Chile have come to South San Francisco, California to participate in the Euskal Pilota Txapelketa in Paleta Cuero.

Both Basque Chileans were inspired by their fathers, who actually play together.  They would take them to the Centro Vasco in Chile and teach them to play.   However, not many people have an opportunity to be exposed to the game as these young men were.  There are few canchas in Chile and few people that actually play the sport.  Danik recalls his amazement at the number of canchas that exist in Argentina.  “There are around 6,000 canchas in Argentina and only about four or five in Chile,” Danik stated.  He emphasized that "These type of events are extremely important in order for people to participate and see how the games are played."
 
Miguel’s father, who is from La Rioja, began showing his son pilota approximately twenty years ago, mostly in trinquete goma.  He is best in trinquete goma.  In regards to the future of pelota in Chile, Miguel stated that one of their challenges is that there are no young people who are playing the game.  “We play with people who are in their fifties and above.  So there is no real competition.  It’s hard for us to see a future in pelota for this reason.”  Miguel has participated in championship games since 1995. 

In regards to the level of skills in this tournament, Miguel stated that “Euskal Herria’s level is excellent.  Unlike some of the other countries, we do not primarily play Paleta Cuero, so some specialties are missing.  Paleta Cuero and Handball are played so much more in the Basque Country.”

The future of people depends on the future players.  During a recent trip to Durango, Bizkaia, they had the opportunity to receive teacher training in which now plans for starting up a school to get kids engaged will soon begin.  There are some kids that are interested, so only time will tell.

Photo: Danik Arana and Miguel Rodriguez