Operário Ferroviário Esporte Clube e o Estádio Germano Kruger: uma análise social e histórica do clube e da regularização do estádio

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to conduct historical analysis of the city of Ponta Grossa, Paraná, and the Operário Ferroviário Esporte Clube (OFEC), a professional football club founded in 1912 by the workers who came to build the railway, with a strong historical connection to the Municipality it is based in. This centennial club has a significant participation in national football and a rich history on the field of Vila Oficinas Stadium, currently named Estádio Germano Kruger, which, before honoring one of the engineers who was part of the railway team, had other names and went through other historical and bureaucratic trajectories. This is a qualitative research, combining bibliographic and journalistic studies with documentary analysis of club meeting minutes regarding the stadium's legalization negotiations. By using Norbert Elias and his configurational theories, we can understand the social relations involved within the Municipal public administration, Operário Ferroviário, and the management group that oversees the team, in order to mobilize these groups with the aim of updating Municipal legislation through the City Council regarding the land where Estádio Germano Kruger is located. In light of these group movements, we identify individuals who hold power to make strategic moves within a political scenario. The involvement of the Municipal Executive and Legislative branches was crucial for meeting the desired demands in this process. The driving force behind these movements are the emergent needs of Operário Ferroviário team to comply with legal regulations imposed by sports administrative entities, such as requirements from CBF and FPF for participation in national competitions that the team is involved in due to its rise in the national football scene.