The local sporting event identified by the representation of South Florida’s diverse communities has reached a significant milestone.

Copa Latina, the annual soccer tournament at Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah, celebrates its 20th anniversary. The tournament will kick off its 2012 edition with Saturday night’s match between defending champion Peru NMB and Argentina.

“We are extremely honored that we have now reached 20 years,” Tom Mulroy, Copa Latina founder and President, said during the recent tournament draw that determined the 32-team bracket.

Peru NMB outlasted the usually deep field and won its first Copa Latina championship last year with a 5-4 victory on penalty kicks over Blue Star Honduras in the tournament final.

“My first thoughts after we won were about my family,” Peru NMB coach Conrad Sialer said. “They are extremely patient and sacrifice so much to allow us to spend many hours away from them while we participate in a sport we love.

“I also thought about our players and coaching staff for the time they put in to make the championship a reality as well as the local Peruvian soccer association and our fans that gave us unlimited support.”

Sialer’s 2012 team will feature a mix of returning players, such as forward Carlos Calcagno, last year’s tournament Most Valuable Player, and new addition Eduardo Coudet, whose background includes stops in the Argentine and Mexican professional leagues.

“We are looking forward to this new role that we now have as defending champion,” Sialer said. “I don’t prefer the favorite role.”

This year’s tournament field again will feature perennial participants Honduras 5 Stars and Seleccion Haiti and Blue Star. The 5 Stars had their three-year run of Copa Latina titles end with a loss against Blue Star in the quarterfinals.

Haiti has won a tournament best five championships.

“Once again we expect another tough field,” Sialer said. “The established teams like 5 Stars and Haiti are always dangerous, but you cannot underestimate the younger teams who also want to establish their presence in the tournament.”

Saturday’s Peru NMB-Argentina match will start at 8, following the traditional Parade of Nations featuring all tournament teams. The Parade of Nations ceremony will start at 7:30.

Copa Latina first-round games will continue Sunday with five additional matches beginning at 11 a.m.

Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12. The tournament runs through March 4.