The Labrit fronton in Pamplona is set to host the International Pelota Vasca Congress, organised by the Pamplona City Council as part of the IRUHBI Pilota project. Nearly 300 attendees have registered for the event, which will discuss the current state and future prospects of pelota vasca, exploring ways to promote the sport from sporting, heritage, cultural, tourism, and economic perspectives.
The congress will be inaugurated at 9:00 am by Pamplona's mayor, Joseba Asiron Saez, and the regional Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism, Rebeca Esnaola Bermejo. The event will take place on the fronton court, specially arranged to accommodate the planned presentations and working groups.
Following the opening remarks, the inaugural lecture will be delivered at 9:15 am by pelota player Unai Laso and Andrea Lusarreta Monreal, president of the Navarre Federation of Pelota Vasca. This session, moderated by former player Mikel Idoate, will address the challenges facing pelota vasca, future development strategies, and insights from athletes and sports management professionals.
The congress is part of the IRUHBI Pilota project, which is funded by European funds from the POCTEFA programme. The project is led by the Pamplona City Council in collaboration with the municipalities of Biarritz and Huarte, as well as the Navarre Federation of Pelota Vasca, Iparralde Pilota Batzordea, and Biarritz Athletic Club. The aim of IRUHBI Pilota is to revitalise pelota vasca as a sport and enhance its economic, cultural, and tourism significance.
This event also promotes Pamplona as the World Capital of Pelota Vasca. Four thematic sessions will take place in the morning, covering various aspects of the sport. The first session at 9:40 am will focus on health, technique, and technology, featuring speakers Egoitz Carrión, Mikel Izquierdo, and Oscar Insausti, moderated by Raquel Micó. They will discuss the evolution of pelota vasca and its adaptation to modern times.
The second session at 10:40 am, titled 'Education, the future of pelota', will include Evelyne Mourguy, Oidui Usabiaga, and Yannick Hernández, with Santiago Lesmes as moderator. This discussion will explore the integration of pelota vasca into the educational system and the sport's educational values.
The third session at 12:20 pm will examine the heritage value of pelota, featuring Ángel Morua, Pedro López, Joxemari Mitxelena, and Alfredo Asiáin, moderated by Sandra Iraizoz. The final morning session at 1:30 pm will address the role of women in pelota, with contributions from Andrea Lusarreta, Chus López, and Uxue Fernández Lasa, moderated by Olatz González.
In the afternoon, starting at 3:30 pm, the focus will shift to the social perception of pelota and its representation in the media, with participation from journalists and Mikel Idoate. The event will also pay tribute to Juan Moya Bernedo, the inventor of the remonte baskets. The congress will conclude with a closing lecture by José María Echeverría, who will share transformative experiences related to pelota vasca.
