Preliminary sporting action continued on the eve of the Opening Ceremony, with competition in men's softball getting under way.

The crowd at the Complejo Deportivo Villa María del Triunfo were left disappointed after Peru were beaten 15-0.

“I feel very proud because we gave everything on the pitch and we are mentally prepared to continue fighting," said Peruvian team member Daniel Ramirez.

"It is a great experience for us.”

“The majority are 16 to 20 years old. 

"I hope that the boys who are younger will be grabbing more experience and I wish them much success.”

It was a closer encounter between Argentina and Mexico, with the world champions edging the clash 4-3.

“We actually played very bad," Argentina's Santiago Carril said.

"The team wasn’t confident and we made several mistakes on defence.

"We won, but we played awful. 

"If we play like this against Venezuela or any other team, they will beat us easily.”

Brazil started their women's handball title defence in emphatic fashion, comfortably defeating Canada 41-12 at Villa Deportiva Nacional Videna.

Argentina thrashed Peru 52-7 and United States won 26-22 against Dominican Republic, while Cuba narrowly beat Puerto Rico 27-24.

Elsewhere, qualifying rounds in beach volleyball, squash and bowling were held.

The 2019 Pan American Games officially begins tomorrow with the Opening Ceremony at Estadio Nacional del Perú, preceded by sporting action in artistic skating, beach volleyball, equestrian, modern pentathlon, rugby sevens and squash.

Around 6,700 athletes are expected to compete across 39 sports until August 11.