Editor's note: Joao Crisante de Pina is a current affairs journalist from Cape Verde. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

June 15 will be remembered as a landmark moment in Cape Verdean football, the day the Blue Sharks showed the world that a nation's geographical size does not determine its stature on the pitch. In their debut appearance at a FIFA World Cup final stage, Cape Verde stunned observers by holding Spain, one of the tournament's leading title contenders, to a draw.

In a match defined by discipline, organization and unwavering belief, the national team achieved more than a positive result; it earned international respect. The draw, secured through determination and hope as vast as the ocean, symbolized the ability of a small island nation to compete on equal terms with some of the world's football powerhouses.

Ahead of the tournament, the head coach made the team's objective clear: "To show Cape Verde to the world." That objective was fulfilled. The performance against Spain elevated the country's profile on the global sporting stage and reinforced the image of a competitive, organized and resilient side.

Yet before gaining global visibility through football, Cape Verde had already been laying the structural foundations for its sporting development, a process in which international cooperation played a meaningful role. In this context, the partnership with China stands out, particularly in the construction of the National Stadium under bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Located on the northern outskirts of Cape Verde's capital city Praia, the National Stadium was built between 2010 and 2014 and inaugurated in 2014. The project reflected a cooperation model combining Chinese financing, engineering and technical execution with Cape Verdean institutional planning and management priorities.

With a capacity of around 15,000 spectators, the stadium has become the country's primary sporting infrastructure and the home of the national team. Over the years, it has hosted football matches, athletics competitions, and a range of sporting and cultural events, assuming a multifunctional role within Cape Verde's sports system.

From a sporting perspective, the National Stadium has established itself as a central hub for athletics development, regularly hosting national championships at both U-18 and senior levels. Its modern synthetic track has improved training and competition conditions, contributing to the growth of the discipline and the identification of emerging talent across the islands.

Beyond competition, the stadium also serves as a platform for sports development and cooperation, including training programs and athlete camps, as well as initiatives involving partner countries, particularly within the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.

Another important dimension of its use is grassroots sports promotion, notably through the "Open Day" initiative organized by the Institute for Sports and Youth. During this event, the stadium hosts dozens of sports activities in a single day, providing young people with direct exposure to multiple disciplines and encouraging participation, inclusion and social engagement through sport.

China's role, however, has not been limited to the stadium's construction. In recent years, the partnership has evolved into a model of ongoing technical assistance. A team of 11 Chinese specialists is stationed in Praia, providing technical support for the operation and maintenance of the stadium's complex systems. Their work includes the supply of equipment and spare parts, support for rehabilitation works and specialized technical assistance.

At the same time, the program includes a strong capacity-building component, aimed at enhancing the skills of Cape Verdean technicians. The approach prioritizes a gradual transition toward greater national autonomy in the management and operation of the facility.

In this way, the National Stadium reflects a combination of external investment and internal development, where infrastructure, expertise and local management evolve in a coordinated manner.

Today, as the Blue Sharks compete on football's biggest stage, Cape Verde's journey highlights the interplay between talent, organization and international cooperation. Ultimately, the National Stadium stands as a point of convergence in that process, where investment, knowledge and sporting ambition come together to support the growth of Cape Verdean sport. The draw against Spain is only the beginning of a new chapter, one in which a nation, small in territory, proves itself vast in courage, talent and determination.

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