The Costa Rican Football Federation (FCRF) took a significant leap forward in developing its sporting infrastructure on Tuesday, April 23, with the opening of two cutting-edge facilities at its technical centre. This milestone marks a major step forward for the sport in the country.
The new facility, built with an investment of over USD 1.5m from FIFA Forward funds and additional funding generated by hosting the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, features a state-of-the-art beach soccer pitch and a changing room building with a floor area of 294.96 m2. This building provides changing rooms, a public health facility, and storage rooms. Adjacent to this is the new women’s building, boasting an impressive floor area of 725.31 m2, offering dormitories for players, referees’ changing rooms, medical rooms, a training room, and extensive storage space.
The opening ceremony was attended by esteemed guests, including the Costa Rican Minister for Sport, Royner Mora, the Minister for the Status of Women, Cindy Quesada, and executives from FIFA’s regional office in Panama, José Rodríguez and Derek Canavaggio. Representing the FCRF were Secretary General Rafael Vargas, Director of Sport Claudio Vivas, members of its management committee, coaching staff, and men’s and women’s national team players.
FCRF President Osael Maroto Martínez expressed pride in the completion of the project, which he said demonstrates the federation’s commitment to gender equality and the development of beach soccer.
“We’re proud to have completed the buildings that we’re opening today because they mark the culmination of a plan that was put together to create a complex to host and house all of Costa Rica’s national teams. This is now the true home of our national teams and it meets all of our sporting and administrative needs.
FCRF President Osael Maroto Martínez
The new facility is expected to support the growth of beach soccer in Costa Rica, providing a world-class training and competition venue for national teams and clubs. With this investment, Costa Rica is setting an example in the region for investing in inclusive facilities and encouraging other countries to follow its lead.
Credits: FIFA, fedefutbol.com
