Due to the enthusiasm and support of its people, and the warmth (even climatic) of Barranquilla, that city has been the undisputed home of the Colombia national team for more than 30 years. But now, Bogota, in a new attempt, seeks to challenge that status of the Atlantic capital. And to do so, it will appeal to a factor that could definitively convince the Colombian Football Federation (FCF).
Barranquilla is credited with several of Colombia’s qualifications to different World Cups. Its climate is considered a determining factor for opponents having to play overwhelmed by high temperatures. Bogota, on the other hand, has not been so fortunate. The last time it hosted a national team match was in the qualifiers for South Africa 2010, but the national team ended up being eliminated. That consolidated Barranquilla.
Winning over the FCF by hitting its pocket
Now Bogota will make a new attempt, but this time with powerful reasons to convince the FCF. The District Government Secretariat presented a project to the Bogota City Council seeking for the governing body of Colombian football to have greater economic advantages if the capital of Colombia becomes the venue for national team matches. In other words, they aim to win them over financially by showing that it is more profitable for the national team to play in Bogota.
The project establishes that taxes the FCF must pay, such as the public entertainment tax, be eliminated, and that this tax exemption would extend until 2030, the year in which the World Cup will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The capital also offers the national team the new El Campin stadium, with all FIFA requirements, plus the administrative headquarters.
“It is an initiative that the district administration has precisely for the friendly match on May 29, which will be played at El Campin against Costa Rica, which is the farewell match of the Colombia national team,” Daniel Garcia, director of the Bogota Institute of Recreation and Sports (IDRD), told Blu Radio. “So, in that process of dialogue with the FCF, Bogota is betting on that match and one of the ways to do it is precisely through this tax exemption of the industry and commerce tax.”
Bogota’s new stadium, another card from the capital
The capital also insists and has its hopes set on the new stadium, which will be able to host a little more than 50,000 fans. Garcia added in the same media outlet that Bogota expects the FCF to change its mind over time. He clarified that the idea is for Bogota to host matches, without this meaning that it is seeking for Barranquilla not to do so.
“Actually, the home of the Colombia national team is Barranquilla, but we would like to bring some World Cup qualifying matches. It is a proposal and, in sporting terms, for example, the farewell match of the Colombia national team on May 29 is being held in Bogota at the request of the coach himself, Professor [Nestor] Lorenzo,” Garcia said. “Because the national team’s first match is precisely in Mexico City, a very similar altitude to Bogota, and in that way the team is gradually acclimating for its first match on June 17 in Mexico City.”
“We are fighting to make it happen. On December 29 of next year, the functional delivery of the new stadium in Bogota is scheduled, and the president of the Federation himself has already said that Bogota could be competitive to host Colombia national team matches,” Garcia concluded, reflecting the desire of all people from the capital to become the home of the national team.