“Evaristo Pérez describes the new Arena Banreservas as “the eighth wonder,” adding “we must take care of every little lightbulb””

SANTO DOMINGO.– Dominican sports immortal Evaristo Pérez highlighted the impact that the inauguration of the Arena Banreservas Virgilio Travieso Soto will have on new generations, considering that the modern facility represents a turning point for the development of national basketball. The former national team player offered his statements to De Último Minuto during the event led by President Luis Abinader, together with the executive president of Banreservas, Dr. Leonardo Aguilera, and other authorities of the country.

Pérez, one of the greatest figures in the history of Dominican basketball and a reference for the San Carlos Club, stated that the renovated venue exceeds the expectations of those who experienced the early years of the old Sports Palace. “Truly, today we have enjoyed a great event, a magnificent thing. We did not think that in 2026 we were going to have an arena with so many conditions, but the moment arrived. They have finally started to give something good to the Dominican people to enjoy basketball“, he expressed.

Recalling his beginnings in the sport, the former player remembered that he first stepped onto the stage in 1977, just three years after its construction for the 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games, and highlighted the magnitude of the transformation the facility has undergone.

You can also read: Kelvin Cruz at the inauguration of the Banreservas Arena

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“When I first arrived here, this seemed like a monstrosity to me, but now it is the eighth wonder, so to speak. The youth must enjoy it and, above all, take care of it. The first thing is to form a committee that watches over every point, every little lightbulb, because that makes the difference,” stated Pérez.

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The sports immortal considered that having infrastructure of this level will serve as inspiration for thousands of young people who dream of developing a career in basketball and other disciplines, by having a venue with international standards to compete and grow athletically.

Finally, he sent a message to the Dominican youth, urging them to take advantage of academic and technical training opportunities. “The youth must be asked to dedicate themselves to things that bring value to the family. The schools are there, the universities are there, Infotep is there. You have to dedicate yourselves to something because we are living in difficult times and, if we focus on good things for the family, it will be great“, he concluded.