Lima 2019: Wheelchair basketball groups drawn

Peru will face reigning Parapan American champions USA in both the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball competitions as groups for Lima 2019 were drawn on Friday.

In the men’s event, the hosts will also be joined by Brazil and Puerto Rico in a tough-looking Group A. Toronto 2015 silver medallists Canada and bronze medallists Argentina were pitted together with Colombia and Mexico in Group B.

In the women’s event, Peru will play against 2015 Parapan American bronze medallists Brazil, Chile and USA in Group A; while Canada, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia will face-off in Group B.

Jorge Beltran, President of the Peruvian Sports Federation for People with Disabilities, said:

“This is a great opportunity to show how the Peruvian Para athletes give it all for their country. We hope Lima 2019 can be the opportunity to build a more inclusive country and sports can continue to be a platform for people’s development.”

The wheelchair basketball competitions will take place at the VIDENA Sports complex in the heart of the city between 24-31 August.

Schedules for football 5 and 7 revealed

Argentina and Costa Rica will kick off the football 5-a-side event on 24 August, followed by Brazil vs. Colombia and hosts Peru against Mexico.

Competition will be held in a round-robin format, with the two best advancing into the final and the third and fourth playing for the bronze. The medal-games will be contested at the Hockey Field on 30 August.

International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) representative Mariano Travaglino said:

“Peruvian fans are privileged as they will get to see multiple Paralympic champions Brazil; Worlds runners-up Argentina; Colombia who is among the world’s best five; relevant North and Central American teams such as Mexico and Costa Rica; and Peru who have been growing a lot.”

The football 7-a-side event will also be played in a round-robin format at the Rugby Field between 24-31 August.

Pero and Brazil will open the competition, followed by Argentina vs. Venezuela and USA vs. Colombia.

Lima 2019 will take place between 23 August and 1 September and will feature over 1,800 athletes competing across 17 sports, overtaking Toronto 2015 as the biggest Parapan American Games in history.