A few days before the start of the FIFA World Cup, the teams begin to arrive at their base camp. That of Panama settled on Sunday in Alliston, 90 km north of Toronto, where enthusiastic supporters awaited them.
The team members set down their suitcases at the Nottawasaga Resort and were warmly welcomed upon their arrival.
“I’m not only excited, I’m so proud that my team is coming to play in Canada,” said Marlyn Alonso, who, like other of her compatriots, wore the team’s red jersey for the occasion. “I know they are going to play with all their hearts.”
“Although the Panamanian community here is small, you see that many people came with costumes, flags, singing and dancing,” observes Panama’s ambassador to Canada, Ricardo Alemán. He believes it’s a taste of what’s to come “when thousands of Panamanian fans arrive in Toronto this week and will be all over the city, dancing and singing ‘Victory to Panama!'”
World-class terrain
For three weeks, we will be their home away from home, while they train here at their base camp. It’s really super exciting!
exclaims Dino Biffis, who is vice-president of Nottawasaga Resort. It is the culmination of efforts which began seven years ago.
Dino Biffis explains that a lot of care was put into preparing the pitch to meet FIFA requirements.
Photo : Radio-Canada
Nottawasaga Resort has a major asset: two soccer training fields, including one of world class. Its location, quite close to Toronto, but without the distractions of the city, is another of its attractions. Â
The German team trained there in 1994, when the United States hosted the World Cup, and other national teams followed.
The love of soccer
Mr. Biffis’ father, an Italian immigrant who was passionate about soccer, had a soccer field built on site. The place was once a turf roll production farm.
In anticipation of hosting the Panama team, one of the resort grounds has undergone significant work over the past year to allow for the installation of an underground drainage system, a modernized irrigation system and a specific slope.
The lawn was also replaced. FIFA wants to ensure that there is continuity between the type of grass on which players train and play
explains Dino Biffis.
Nottawasaga Resort has two soccer fields and a golf course.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Paul Borkwood
Two matches in Toronto for Panama
Of the 48 base camps, only two are in Canada: this one, north of Toronto, and that of the Canadian team, in Vancouver.
The Panama team will play two matches in Toronto. She will face Ghana on June 17 and Croatia on the 23rd.
Residents of Alliston and surrounding areas will also have the opportunity to register to attend a team training session on June 11.
Based on information from Léo Molinié and Lane Harrison, CBC
