After years of preparation, the men’s national soccer team from Panama has finally arrived at the Nottawasaga Resort in Alliston ahead of the World Cup. “The camp is really away from the city. We are a little away from everything, but who knows? Once the days continue, we’ll have a better impression of what is on at this camp,” says Team Panama’s Edgar Yoel Barcenas, through a translator. Team Panama will call the resort home for the next three weeks as it prepares for the World Cup. Two FIFA-approved fields have been created for the players and people out golfing at the resort this Monday morning had the chance to catch a close up glimpse of some of the players. “That is really cool. I can’t wait until it starts on Friday,” says Bryan Heppell of Newmarket. Media from Panama are also on location to to cover the team. Eduardo Linyueng works for TVN and TV Max in Panama. “We are going to do okay and the Panamanian team will be a surprise in this World Cup,” says Linyueng. Police are also on the scene this week making sure the players are safe. “You can expect us here for the duration of the tournament. The place is off-limits to the public; however, residents and golfers and people using the facilities are still allowed to enter,” says Const. C.J. Hietanen with the Ontario Provincial Police. The resort says it is thrilled to have a world-class team use their grounds to prepare for the World Cup. The next few weeks will be busy and filled with soccer. “Just absolutely special and thrilling, our team, our staff, our culinary group, we are thrilled to have our maintenance staff from the greenkeeping side of things looking after the fields, making sure they are in tip-top shape for the base camp and for the training,” says Dino Biffis, Nottawasaga Resort Vice President. Fans will not be allowed on the grounds during the course of Team Panama’s stay. However, there will be a special fan day on Thursday, but those allowed in have already been selected.
