Kepa Arroitajauregi: "The World Pilota Council was fundamentally created to promote pelota"

With the guidance and support of his father, 35 year-old Kepa Arroitajauregi Egana began playing pelota as a young child.  He played professionally in 1993 and 1994 with the professional pelota organizations of Asergace and Beasain.  After his experience in the professional world, he continued playing with the Euskadiko Euskal Pilota Federazioa (Basque Federation of Pelota of Euskadi) in the year 2000.  He continued until Mikel Bringas, Technical Director, nominated him as a scout for the Handball specialty.  

He has been a scout for the Basque Federation of Pelota of Euskadi since 2000.  Simultaneously, he has worked on many special projects: pelota journalist for Marca; sports announcer for professional games and a special radio program that is geared towards pelota aficionados for Bizkaia Irratia; a sports announcer at Euskal Telebista (Basque TV network) and Euskadi Irratia (Basque radio). 
 
Using the experience that he acquired with the Federation and the World Pilota Council, he has also carried out work managing press. Although he has moved around in many different arenas, the main area that he has focused on is his work as Technical Director for the World Pilota Council.

What is the World Pilota Council? How did it get started and why? 
The World Pilota Council was fundamentally created to promote pelota.  It is also a project that strives to get pelota out of the difficult situation that it is currently living in.  From the Basque Federation of Pelota of Euskadi, the work carried out in this area within the last few years highlights the need for that job.  So, this new association will assist in intensifying, just as it has been set out in the strategic plan of pelota, the work carried out until now by the Basque Federation of Pelota. 

This initiative was created and presented by the Basque Government December 13 of last year.  The founding members are the Euskadiko Euskal Pilota Federakuntza, Venezuelako Pilota Federakuntza, Boliviako Pilota Ta Raqueta Federakuntza, Australiako Pilota Federakuntza, F.E.V.A, North American Basque Organization, Txikeko Valparaiso eta Euzko Etxea, Iralandako Irish Handball Council, and Dominikar Errepublikako Santo Domingoko Euskal Etxea.  Going forward, any person or club that has worked toward promoting pelota can join this new organization once the council has approved of their admission. 

The reason for its creation, in short, is to seek out what is needed amongst the countries to improve pelota.  What is lacking is significant, most especially when it comes to facilities, materials, instructors, etc.  The drive to achieve this is out there, but there needs to be a means to be able to ensure that pelota does not get lost.  The fundamental objective is to create a strong foundation, but in order to achieve that, it is necessary to get things done.

Why did you choose San Francisco as the hosting location for the first championship of pelota? 
Well, I am not sure. It could be a coincidence, but the Euskadiko Euskal Pilota Federakuntza of Euskadi already has an excellent 15 year relationship with the Basque Cultural Center of San Francisco.  This one of the most important reasons, although it is also true that I have been told that the festival that they throw in September is spectacular.  They have the desire to organize events, are great organizers, and such an opportunity is unrivalled.  From what I have mentioned, I think the reasons are sufficient.
 
What do you hope to achieve with this championship?
It is the first championship for this new organization and although the main objective isn’t the championship in itself, but rather to set up the foundation of pelota, in other words, to create and train pelota players.  We are happy to create hope and excitement for the players.

I think the level of skills will be good, particularly in Handball Doubles and Paleta Cuero.  I also think that the women and the younger pelota players will offer great games, although in the future, perhaps in three or four years, the level will be more than decent.  If that happens, it will be a sign that things are going in the right direction.

But as I have said, the main objective is to create hope and to build a road for the future. 

How do you see the future of pelota outside of the Basque Country
The future is not simple for pelota.  Lots of work needs to be done in order to maintain the desire for our sport for a player outside of the Basque Country.  In any case, there is always someone who is ready to work in favor of pelota, and with some luck, this person will spark this motivation in a friend, despite all the competing activities that the youth of today are faced with.
 
The World Pilota Council has to carry out a huge task: to maintain hope amongst those who have an interest in pelota.  In order to do that, tournaments, camps, courses, etc. must be carried out.  And if we achieve that, it will be fantastic.  But at the moment, the answers are half way there.   
  
 
What must be done to motivate the youth of the Diaspora to play pelota?
Keep our sport alive at all times.  Through incorporating different activities that are entertaining, we will be able to immerse boys and girls in this sport.  If they are enjoying themselves, they will continue.  What at the beginning was taken as a game, will work into educating. 

The time will come, when their abilities will blossom,  and players that seek conditioning as their main focus will be born. 

More information:
The EuskoSare website will provide Special Coverage on this World Pilota Council Tournament. Special Coverage will include daily score updates, game highlights, photo galleries, video clips, player profiles and interviews. The website will also serve as an opportunity to build a network of pelota players from all over the world so that they can keep in contact and continue to collaborate with each other.