Operations

El Teniente Division Stadium Experience adds new sports disciplines for 2025

The program innovated and added water polo and parkour, among other activities, so that the community of localities near the mining operations could enjoy a summer full of sports and recreation.

The intense summer heat is combated with recreation and sports thanks to the Estadio Experiencia program of Codelco División El Teniente. The initiative, which for the summer season projects the participation of four thousand people, added new disciplines such as ultimate frisbee , parkour and water polo to the traditional recreational activities in the pool.

According to José Tomás Contreras, coordinator of the program, the focus is on innovation and integration. "These new sports disciplines show us movements that we are not used to seeing and promote values such as empathy. For example, Ultimate Frisbee, which is self-refereed and mixed, allows the regional community to connect."

The day at El Teniente stadium was significant for local communities. For Yanina Garay, leader of the Dintrans Population of Rancagua, the program opens up new possibilities for young people. "Our children discover things and have the opportunity to do other activities such as swimming and innovative sports, instead of just playing ball. This not only entertains them, but also keeps them away from less positive environments."

The regional secretary for sports, Macarena Chandía Pino, highlighted the impact of incorporating unconventional disciplines. "We are not limited to conventional sports, but rather we seek to show young people and children a range of possibilities through movement, such as parkour in public spaces or water polo in top-quality facilities. These initiatives broaden the sporting horizon and encourage interest in lesser-known practices."

The four-time national parkour champion, Cristofer Pinto, took part in the activity. “We came to show that the human body is capable of incredible things: jumping, turning, climbing and overcoming obstacles. This type of activity encourages people to discover their physical and mental potential, fostering creativity and personal improvement.”

Development with social value

In addition, the inclusive aspect of the program was highlighted by Nayadeth Ahumada, regional minister for Social Development and Family. "This alliance with El Teniente opens the doors to vulnerable groups and allows children under the protection of the State to enjoy activities such as swimming free of charge. It is a gesture that helps to level opportunities for those who face more difficulties."

From the National Youth Institute, its regional coordinator, Leonardo Molina Lizana, highlighted the importance of this collaboration. "The Stadium Experience has been fundamental in connecting us with youth and combines fruitful work that opens spaces and encourages community participation. This type of alliance motivates us to continue creating projects together."

The Stadium Experience is part of the copper company's strategy for developing the territory with social value, which seeks to contribute to the quality of life and the enrichment of the regional sporting legacy. Since its creation, the program has received more than 24 thousand people from Coya, Machalí, Olivar, Coltauco, Alhué, Las Cabras, Rancagua, Requínoa, Lo Miranda and Doñihue, among other areas close to the mining company's operations.