Ahead of the 9th edition of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup taking place in South Africa (1-12 April), we’re conducting a series of exclusive interviews with the participating teams. Today: Celina di Santo (ARG).
Celina, what does the perspective of playing a World Cup mean to you?
Celina di Santo: Well, honestly, playing a Junior World Cup has always been a dream, an objective that I’ve had since I was a child. I’ve been training for several years with the national team and having the possibility these days to represent Argentina in a Junior World Cup is something really nice that motivates me a lot. I hope to enjoy at the maximum this event and everything that comes with it.
Argentina has played every edition of the Women’s Junior World Cup. And very successfully, with two gold medals, three silver and a bronze one. Does this make you confident or does this bring you some additional pressure?
Celina di Santo: No, I don’t think this is a pressure. But yes, it is a very nice responsibility to keep Argentina on the top of the podium as the teams have done before us. But well, during these years, we’ve been training a lot as a team to be able to represent the country in the best possible way, to obtain a good result.
What are your expectations as a team?
Celina di Santo: Firstly, of course, to go and participate in the tournament, enjoy each game, keep on growing match after match, unifying the team and obviously reach the top. But well, slowly, enjoying the event, progressing as a team. I think this is how things will start flowing.
You are also part of Las Leonas. What can you transfer from Las Leonas to Las Leoncitas?
Celina di Santo: When you enter the senior national team, you start learning from the role model players that we have today in Las Leonas, like Rocío Sanchez, Delfina Merino, Agustina Alonso, Agustina Albertarrio, María José Granatto … Honestly, we have very important players at national and international level. Learn from them and transmit to the junior players is my role. Wear this shirt, represent the country, the respect that you need to have, the humbleness, the compromise, responsibilities… It is all of that that I want to convey from the senior team to the junior one and obviously always giving 110% of efforts and especially when you wear the national shirt.
Is this the first time you will go to South Africa?
Celina di Santo: Yes, it is my first time.
How are you getting ready for this event?
Celina di Santo: In December, we had already started our trip to South Africa when we were told half-way that the competition has been cancelled. So, we went back to Argentina. This time, with lots of expectations to reach destination and enjoy the event!
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