It's days of celebration for the Cream fans for their 98th anniversary. But it should also be a time for reflection. Universitario de Deportes has been going through a management crossroads that prevents it from taking off at a sporting level. Two years away from the Centennial, it is urgent to straighten the path. Deporte Total asked a dozen 'cremas' about their dreams for their beloved club. This is what they told us.
What do you dream for Universitario, two years away from its Centennial?
1. Juan Carlos Ortecho - Head of Sports RPP
“I dream of being a five-year-old child and seeing the red 'U' enclosed in a circle on the cream background. I dream of not understanding what the words: creditors, debt, crisis, mercenary, traitor mean. I dream that the only thing that matters to me is to shout the goals of my grandfather's, my father's, my son's team. Universitario de Deportes of Peru. My club. Handsome and elegant.”
2. Pedro Tenorio - Host on Latina TV
“A national championship to start. But above all, a team that inspires their loyal fans with courage and professionalism, and leaders who love 'U' more than their own interests.”
3. Edward Mezones-Holguín - Epidemiologist and researcher
“First, winning the centennial championship, it has a lot of symbolism. Also, in the medium and long term, having a transparent sports organization, with a settled debt and significant investment in youth divisions with a comprehensive approach, in order to turn it into an exporting powerhouse. Let all fans row in the same direction to have a great campaign in the Libertadores, leaving a mark, as it used to be.”
4. Carlos Felipe Barrientos - Marketing Department at Universitario de Deportes
“With professionalization and reengineering on the way in all areas, to lay the foundations for the club's future. It is important to leave a legacy and a more organized club. With a more united fanbase working together to make the institution even bigger and definitely become champion and reach a semifinal (or final) of the Copa Libertadores de América.”
5. Stefano Peschiera - Peruvian Sailor
“Everything that a 'U' fan dreams of is to win another title and why not think about achieving something in the Copa Libertadores. I also want stability in the team, the coaching staff, and the board, that's what makes a team consistent. Let it be a professional team that gives us many joys.”
6. Germán Leguía - Former player of 'U'
“My biggest dream for 'U' is for it to return to what it used to be. That it doesn't have Gremco or the Sunat on top of it, that all these issues of the creditors' meeting and all that disappear because the club deserves something better.”
7. José Luis 'Puma' Carranza - Former player of 'U'
“What I want the most for my club is for it to get out of all the non-sporting problems and talk about football. 'U' is a big club that deserves to have the best players and coaches in order to always be among the top places. For that to happen, it has to be managed in the best way possible and have a good atmosphere.”
8. Luis 'Cuto' Guadalupe - Former player of 'U'
“I dream of 'U' returning to its rightful place. To become champions and achieve that 27th star that all the fans are eagerly waiting for. Let 'U' be that club that we all know, fighting for the top spots. I want the essence of 'U' to return, the passion and unconditional dedication that makes us proud to be part of its history and a club that we love the jersey.”
9. José Alfredo Madueño - Journalist and founder of the Lolo collective
“For 'U' to return to being 'U'. To exist again as an authentic social and sports institution. A debt-free club, free from the yoke of its creditors and the administrations imposed by them; a club where members choose with no interests other than seeking the best management, and where fans aspire to be members with a critical perspective and not just customers.”