Estadio Bernardo Gil
Encyclopedia
Estadio Bernardo "Candela" Gil is a Football
stadium in San Miguelito, Panamá
which hosts ANAPROF
team Sporting San Miguelito, Chepo F.C.
and Plaza Amador
and Primera A
teams Orión
and Paraiso F.C.
.
The stadium was formerly known as Estadio 28 de Diciembre which had a small 90x57 meter field of mixed sand and gravel, which made it hard for players to compete and therefore could not be used for ANAPROF
games. In 2007, in a joint effort from the Panamanian government and the national sport institute (INDE), they were allowed to spend $298,880 in installing artificial turf
to the field and increasing its size to 98x60 m. The stadium later was renamed for Bernardo Gil, a pioneer who managed to expropriate the land for use as a football
stadium.
The first official game in the renovated stadium was played on Sunday September 23, 2007 when Sporting '89
tied 1-1 with Atletico Chiriqui
in the ANAPROF
championship. The first goal in the candela was scored by Eladio Mitre of Sporting '89
.
who managed to expropriate the land where the present stadium lies, and over the years developed the land into a functional stadium for the people of San Miguelito
.
The land before the expropriation was used as a "cantina" where locals would go to drink day and night. Seeing the land go to waste, Bernardo Gil and other pioneers fought hard, and even radically to get the land expropriated to the district; he even went to jail numerous times. It was not until Panamanian general Omar Torrijos
saw how hard they were fighting for the construction of a football
field where the district could paractice the sport safely, that he ordered for the land to be expropriated and handed to the district. Later on the stadium was built and opened in 1977.
Bernardo Gil went on to become president of the district league and provisional league; he remained president until his death.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
stadium in San Miguelito, Panamá
San Miguelito, Panamá
San Miguelito District is a district of Panamá Province in Panama. The population according to the 2000 census was 293,745.The district covers a total area of 50 km²...
which hosts ANAPROF
ANAPROF
The Liga Panameña de Fútbol is the top football league in Panama. Until 2009, the league was named Asociación Nacional Pro Fútbol .-Format:...
team Sporting San Miguelito, Chepo F.C.
Chepo F.C.
Chepo F.C. is a Panamanian football team playing at the Liga Panameña de Fútbol. It is based in Chepo. It was founded in 1999 under the name of Proyecto 2000 where it gathered young players from around the country aspiring to win a ticket to the Liga Panameña de Fútbol one day...
and Plaza Amador
Plaza Amador
Plaza Amador is a Panamanian soccer club, that currently plays in Liga Panameña de Fútbol. It is one of the oldest teams in Panama.- History :...
and Primera A
Primera A (Panama)
The Liga Nacional de Ascenso is the second level of Panama's national club championship. It was founded in 1997 and it consists of 8 teams who play to gain promotion to Liga Panameña de Fútbol...
teams Orión
Asociación Deportiva Orión
Asociación Deportiva Orión is a Panamanian football team playing at the Liga Nacional de Ascenso. It is based in San Miguelito and it was founded in 1987.-History:...
and Paraiso F.C.
Paraíso F.C.
Tierra Firme Fútbol Club is a Panamanian football team playing at Liga Nacional de Ascenso. It is based in San Miguelito and it was founded in 1985...
.
The stadium was formerly known as Estadio 28 de Diciembre which had a small 90x57 meter field of mixed sand and gravel, which made it hard for players to compete and therefore could not be used for ANAPROF
ANAPROF
The Liga Panameña de Fútbol is the top football league in Panama. Until 2009, the league was named Asociación Nacional Pro Fútbol .-Format:...
games. In 2007, in a joint effort from the Panamanian government and the national sport institute (INDE), they were allowed to spend $298,880 in installing artificial turf
Artificial turf
Artificial turf is a surface manufactured from synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial applications as well...
to the field and increasing its size to 98x60 m. The stadium later was renamed for Bernardo Gil, a pioneer who managed to expropriate the land for use as a football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
stadium.
The first official game in the renovated stadium was played on Sunday September 23, 2007 when Sporting '89
Sporting '89
Academia de Futbol Sporting San Miguelito is a Panamanian football team playing at the first level, Liga Profesional de Fútbol. It is based in San Miguelito and was founded in 1989 by Cesar Morales as Sporting '89....
tied 1-1 with Atletico Chiriqui
Atletico Chiriqui
Club Atlético Chiriquí is a Panamanian football team playing in Liga Panameña de Fútbol. It is based in David, Chiriquí and was founded on June 18, 2002 by Luis Denis Arce. Their home stadium is Estadio San Cristóbal.-Foundation:...
in the ANAPROF
ANAPROF
The Liga Panameña de Fútbol is the top football league in Panama. Until 2009, the league was named Asociación Nacional Pro Fútbol .-Format:...
championship. The first goal in the candela was scored by Eladio Mitre of Sporting '89
Sporting '89
Academia de Futbol Sporting San Miguelito is a Panamanian football team playing at the first level, Liga Profesional de Fútbol. It is based in San Miguelito and was founded in 1989 by Cesar Morales as Sporting '89....
.
Bernardo Gil
The stadium was renamed in order to honor the name of Bernardo "Candela" Gil, a pioneer in San Miguelito's footballFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who managed to expropriate the land where the present stadium lies, and over the years developed the land into a functional stadium for the people of San Miguelito
San Miguelito, Panamá
San Miguelito District is a district of Panamá Province in Panama. The population according to the 2000 census was 293,745.The district covers a total area of 50 km²...
.
The land before the expropriation was used as a "cantina" where locals would go to drink day and night. Seeing the land go to waste, Bernardo Gil and other pioneers fought hard, and even radically to get the land expropriated to the district; he even went to jail numerous times. It was not until Panamanian general Omar Torrijos
Omar Torrijos
Omar Efraín Torrijos Herrera was the Commander of the Panamanian and National Guard and the de facto leader of Panama from 1968 to 1981...
saw how hard they were fighting for the construction of a football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
field where the district could paractice the sport safely, that he ordered for the land to be expropriated and handed to the district. Later on the stadium was built and opened in 1977.
Bernardo Gil went on to become president of the district league and provisional league; he remained president until his death.