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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 125-04
May 24, 2004

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF THE FIRST EVER FIESTA CUP

International Soccer Teams To Meet In Friendly Competition

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced the first Fiesta Cup soccer game, between the national soccer teams of Argentina and Peru.  The exhibition match between these two international powerhouses is one of the first initiatives of the Latin Media & Entertainment Commission.  The game will be held on June 30th at Giant Stadium and will become an annual event with the winner of this year's game returning to defend their title next summer.  Mayor Bloomberg was also joined by Deputy Mayor Carol Robles-Roman, Executive Director of the Latin Media and Entertainment Commission Elizabeth Caldas, Co-chair of the Latin Media and Entertainment Commission Mario Baeza, the Commissioner of the Sports Commission Ken Podziba, Commissioner of Major League Soccer Don Garber, Acting Consul General of Argentina Alejandro Bertolo and Deputy Consul General of Peru Alejandro Ugarte.

"It is a pleasure to announce the first-ever Fiesta Cup soccer competition," said Mayor Bloomberg.  "Soccer unites fans from across all continents, borders and boroughs. I am proud the Latin Media & Entertainment Commission was able to bring such a great event to our area.  It could be a great warm-up for the 2012 Olympics."

"The goal of our Commission is to promote New York City a global destination for the Latin media and entertainment industry," said Mario Baeza, Co-Chair of the Latin Media & Entertainment Commission. "I am proud to have soccer, a globally admired sport, as our first Latin media sports event. We thank Das Velez, fellow member of the Latin Media & Entertainment Commission, for being the key champion behind launching the first ever New York City Fiesta Cup."

"We are delighted to welcome Argentina and Peru to the New York area for what promises to be an exciting match," said Commissioner Podziba.  "New York is internationally renowned for being home to a large and diverse group of soccer aficionados, and it is the passion of these fans that will make this event a success that will resonate globally."

Soccer is the world's most popular sport. The national teams of Peru and Argentina, who are contesting the qualifiers for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, are to meet in this friendly match on Wednesday, June 30 at the Giant Stadium.  The Peru-Argentina game will be part of a doubleheader that will include Major League Soccer's MetroStars who will be hosting the Colorado Rapids.  The encounter will also serve as useful preparation for the Copa America, which is taking place from July 6th -25th in Peru.  This is the first time that the Argentinean team will make an appearance in the tri-state area.   Both teams are among the greatest soccer competing teams in the world and have played in tournaments such as Copa America, Copa Mundial (World Cup), Copa de Oro (Gold Cup). 

Giants Stadium, a marquee venue for the 1994 World Cup and the 1999 Women's World Cup, will host Olympic soccer if New York is fortunate enough to be selected for the 2012 Olympic Games. Located in New Jersey's Meadowlands Sports Complex, just west of New York City, Giants Stadium regularly hosts international soccer matches and is home to the MetroStars, the area's Major League Soccer team. With a field turf and seating for more than 75,000 spectators, Giants Stadium will once again showcase the world's most popular spectator sport.

The Latin Media & Entertainment Commission works within Mayor's Office to create and execute a strategy to position New York City as a global capital for the Latin media and entertainment industry.  The goals of the Latin Media & Entertainment Commission include: launching an economic development initiative to recruit and grow Latin media productions and businesses in New York City; creating a network of ambassadors made up of industry leaders and celebrities to promote the City as a capital of Latin media and entertainment; and recruiting major Latin telecast events to New York City.  The Latin Media and Entertainment Commission was created by Executive Order 43. 







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler/Silvia Alvarez   (212) 788-2958




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