Sandra Paños: "It's always a pleasure to follow the girls and boys who play with enthusiasm in formative stages"
Interview with the ambassador of the Costa Blanca Cup, goalkeeper of the Spanish team and FC Barcelona
The ambassador of the Costa Blanca Cup, goalkeeper of the Spanish team and FC Barcelona, with whom in the 2020-2021 season she achieved the treble with the Champions, League and Queen's Cup, lived the final day of the 2021 edition live , giving the trophies to the finalist teams and sharing an experience that she already lived as a player between the ages of 9 and 11. The Alicante woman turned to the organization of the tournament from the first moment she joined as an ambassador.
-What does it mean to be an ambassador for the Costa Blanca Cup?
-It's undoubtedly a pride to be an ambassador of a tournament that has already opted for women's football since its first edition in 1994 and that since then has always reinforced it and has sought to go further. In the first two editions they activated the possibility of female teams signing up, but despite the fact that there was no response then, they maintained that intention and since 1996, when the first teams arrived, including from the United States, an ascending line of participation.
-How was the experience of being in the finals day?
-From the moment I arrived, football was breathed and it's always a pleasure to follow the girls and boys who play with enthusiasm in formative stages. Since I arrived I had the opportunity to share moments with some players and it was also beautiful the moment to deliver the trophies to the finalist teams and MVP of each category.
-You remembered when you disputed the CBC yourself.
-Yes, the truth is that being in the fields brought back memories. I participated in three editions between the ages of 9 and 11 with the Alicante SPA. So, due to the proximity, we traveled every day to compete. But the organization gave the teams the opportunity to stay in hotels or residences, creating an atmosphere like an "Olympic" village with this cultural exchange. Logically, this situation this year was marked by being responsible for the pandemic. But surely in the next edition that essence of the Costa Blanca Cup will be seen again.
-What do you feel when a girl or a boy approaches you and tell you that she or he wants to take pictures with you or say that she or he wants to be like you?
-It is a very beautiful moment and a great pride. The increasing visibility of women's football brings closer the possibility of meeting players who become references for these new generations, of which we have surely seen and will see in the Costa Blanca Cup and the day of tomorrow they can reach the elite.
-What advice would you give to those girls and boys who are trained in soccer?
- I don't know if today who to give advice, but if your own experience is useful, then I'd tell you to continue, first, with your academic training, to prepare and study. As for football, that they enjoy all the beautiful moments that are lived as a team, that they think about sport from the point of view of the values and the teachings and experiences that are also acquired, that they are not in a hurry, and if they have dreams that they work with discipline, commitment and sportsmanship always.
-What message would you leave for the 2022 edition?
-I believe that the Costa Blanca Cup and the Costa Blanca Futsal Cup have been doing a great job for many years, highlighting women's football, which I know will continue to do their bit decisively in its growth. And that work, desire and enthusiasm are sure to put it 100% for the next edition after a 2020 in which it had to be suspended due to the pandemic and a 2021 that, in any case, has been marked by it. But let's hope that by next year it will be behind us and all participants can enjoy a full performance tournament in every way.