SportsIn had the opportunity to speak with Federico Tong, president of the Peruvian Institute of Sport (IPD), who shared how his administration has strengthened the governing role of the institution and the progress being made in infrastructure and upcoming sporting events. For just over a year at the helm, Tong has prioritized restoring the IPD’s authority, placing athletes at the center of the national sports agenda.

The Peruvian Institute of Sport has expanded its reach and operational capacity, growing its free academies and reinforcing support for Paralympic sports throughout the country. In addition, Tong emphasized the importance of preparing Peru to host major events such as the 2025 Bolivarian Games and the 2027 Pan American and Parapan American Games, with a decentralizing and strategic vision to strengthen national sports.

Restoring authority and focusing on athletes

Federico Tong explained that “the priority has been to restore authority — the authority of the national sports entity,” a process that has included extending the Special Legacy Project following the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. This institutional strengthening is also reflected in closer ties with athletes: “I have a very direct relationship, one of listening, problem-solving, and gathering suggestions directly from the athletes themselves.” Likewise, the IPD has significantly increased enrollment in its free academies, growing from 20,000–30,000 to 60,000 students in 28 disciplines, with active agreements in Peru’s coastal, highland, and jungle regions.

The IPD president also highlighted the commitment to Paralympic sports and the development of the infrastructure needed for high performance and mass participation. “Sports are a state policy and must occupy a key place in the country’s public agenda,” Tong stated, stressing that mechanisms are being promoted to involve the private sector and move forward with a national plan to enhance sports facilities across the country.

Progress in major sporting events

Regarding preparations for the 2025 Bolivarian Games and the 2027 Pan American Games, Tong assured that these will be “a national sports celebration” and explained that the Bolivarian Games will be held in a decentralized manner between Lima and Ayacucho, with nine sports hosted in the latter city, where infrastructure improvements are already underway under the regional government’s management. In Lima, major renovations are being carried out, such as expanding the National Stadium to 50,000 seats and building an exclusive women’s soccer stadium within the Villa María complex.

As for the Pan American Games, Tong highlighted the unanimous approval from the executive committee and the general assembly of PANAM Sports, which have already validated the budget, infrastructure master plan, and the official slogan “Vibramos Juntos Lima 27” (“We Vibrate Together Lima 27”). He also announced that “the PANAM Sports General Assembly will be held in the Sacred Valley, very close to Machu Picchu,” aiming to involve the entire country, not just Lima. “We want these games to be a driving force to close gaps and decentralize sports in Peru,” he concluded.