More than 350 students and representatives of senior citizens, neighborhood associations, and sports clubs from Coya, Machalí, Olivar, Rancagua, Requínoa, Lo Miranda, and Doñihue came to El Teniente Stadium to celebrate World Physical Activity Day. The activity marked the start of the 2024 season of the Codelco División El Teniente Stadium Experience program, an initiative that plans to welcome more than 15,000 people this year.

Cristián Sanhueza, Community Development Director at El Teniente, explained that “for us, it is essential to promote values such as camaraderie, friendship, responsibility and respect through sport. By inviting young people, children and older adults to the stadium we generate social value, which we consider crucial.”

The program, which has been running since 2022, opens the doors to foster the community's connection with the sporting heritage of the historic El Teniente Stadium. Since then, it has welcomed more than 16,000 children, young people, older adults and community representatives.

Guillermo Devia, Superintendent of Logistics Operations of the Copper Company's Services Management, explained that "within the triple value (environmental, social and economic) that the Division seeks to generate, it is crucial that our production leaves a positive mark. By having this asset available, which is unique in the region, we want to open it to the community and invite them to live this experience with us."

Stadium Experience 2024

This milestone marks the start of the 2024 season of the program, which is expected to receive more than 15,000 people. During the summer alone, more than 2,600 people have already taken part in the initiative.

Rómulo García, coordinator of Experiencia Estadio, explained that "in this program, we have as a fundamental axis a pedagogical experience related to heritage, culture and sport. We want to provide a space for them."

For the first time, the Stadium Experience will include various kindergartens and special schools in the region. “Real inclusion happens at these events, where children participate and enjoy activities that they like,” said Luis Moreno, a physical education teacher at the Colegio San Miguel Arcángel, which mainly serves children with Down syndrome.

Representatives from more towns and other regions of the country are also expected to attend. “They are thinking of adults and children. I congratulate Codelco for always keeping us in mind,” said Gilda Núñez, representative of the Communal Union of Senior Citizens (UCAM) of Doñihue.

For his part, Sebastián Rojas, a teacher at the Rancagua 2022 School in the La Cruz sector, added that “these activities help the children, because they give them a different mentality. Coming to this stadium is satisfying for the children and for us as a soccer school.”