On January 31st, the 42nd anniversary of the feat achieved by FBC Melgar in Lima will be celebrated. The 1-1 draw against Sporting Cristal allowed them to become the first club from the provinces to win the national title of the decentralized championship in 1981.
That's why last Thursday the club presented the jersey that will be used this 2023, named "Gloria del Sur" as a tribute to the "eternal champions."
"With a retro approach, blood and grief adorn our traditional jersey, inspired by the achievement of our first star," says the presentation. The classic black and red uniform, well crafted by the brand Walon, has been well received among the fans. Even the shield used in the jersey is the one used in the 80s.
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The captain of that championship team, Raúl Obando, said he was surprised by the initiative taken by the club. "I didn't know about the intentions of the club. I must thank the institution for remembering the 42 years when the team from Arequipa was the first team from the provinces to win the national championship," he said.
The former football player does not hide the nostalgia that overwhelms him every time he remembers the night when they celebrated at the Estadio Nacional in Lima. Obando left a thought-provoking phrase: "I haven't been able to see the new jersey and it's not a matter of jumping for joy. From those years to the present, many things have changed in the institution. This team has an owner today, before Melgar's owner was the city of Arequipa. In a way, this tribute is something that the fans recognize and enjoy," he said.
Much has been said about the glorious night of January 31, 1982. The public chanted "Peru! Peru!" in the stands, the referee gave several minutes of extra time trying to secure a victory for Sporting Cristal, Arequipa came to a standstill, Genaro Neyra scored the first goal, goalkeeper Campana was sent off, and in the end, the celebration was as big as the Misti to shout "champion."
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Raúl Obando gets emotional every time that night comes to his memory. "Every time you say it's been 42 years since the championship, I remember the age I had when we played that match and I come to the conclusion that we're getting old. I still feel butterflies in my stomach when fresh memories come to mind, it seems like it all happened just last year," he recalls.
The former Melgar center-back says with pride that he had the chance to play against the best players in the history of Peru. "We played against great teams like Alianza Lima, Universitario, or Sporting Cristal. I faced Chumpitaz, Cubillas, Sotil, Oblitas, players like them haven't come out," he remembers.
He says that the FBC Melgar team didn't have any players in the Peruvian national team that went to the 1982 World Cup. "Surely because Peru qualified and not Arequipa," the captain replied.