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Buenos Aires, Argentina.  As argued by Project promoters, Sebastian Errecart from Zingirako Euskaldunak and Pablo Ubierna from Laurak Bat, “Pilota is one of the most important legacies given by Basque immigration to Argentina and is without a doubt one of the most popular sports.  In every town and neighborhood clubs have kantxas to play and Argentina has a long tradition of international achievements.  Among all Pilota modalities, two standout that should be practiced today: Xare and Pilota (eskuz). We think that the Basque community should support these specialties that otherwise will not be shared with non-Basque sports institutions.  This support would serve a double purpose, it would develop the national sport (from beginners, to training players and social competitions, to developing elite teams who would then represent the country) all while disseminating the Basque culture.

Along with these reasons, the project emphasizes the fact that if some Basque clubs have pilotaris that “have come to compete in different scenarios, we believe that it hasn’t been a corollary plan of work appropriate for the different centers, but as outstanding individuals who have been able to represent us, but often haven’t been accompanied in their formation and growth, funding or what we think of as being more important, the capitalization of these individual experiences towards strengthening of the few existing schools or building and creating new ones.”

The aforementioned clubs presented this project to FEVA, and the project was approved at the Assembly that took place on May 10^th.

Goals, Beneficiaries, and Implementation

The project is aimed at all the Basque clubs who are interested in offering this activity to the community.  Project directors will be, at different levels, the officers of FEVA in charge of pilota (1^st level); Basque club representative in charge of pilota who will be the professor/trainer to avoid the existence of other intermediaries and will facilitate communication (2^nd level); and the players (level 3).

Implementation of the project will required a director at the club level; an adequate cancha (if your club doesn’t have one, advice will be given on how to manage agreements with other clubs with courts); energy to think of the project for the long-term.

The proposal will also include a work group that will contribute, during the first phase, “training” on how to start a school with materials provided by FEVA, who will also manage and follow the same. 

Clubs interested in participating or getting more information on the project can contact FEVA (feva2000@fibertel.com.ar) or with the authors of the project Sebastián Errecart serrecart@hotmail.com or Pablo Ubierna pabloubierna@hotmail.com.