60th National School Games begin in Cuba

The 60th edition of the National School Games (JEN) will be inaugurated today at Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum in Havana.

In this important event, the main source of the Cuban sports movement, 33 school disciplines, 12 youths and one pioneer will be summoned.

Yadira Rodríguez, technical chief of school sports in Cuba, told the press that 6,594 athletes and 9,401 participants in general will be involved in the JEN.

She added that since Thursday, boxing in the province of Guantanamo and tennis in Havana began their activities, while a day later fencing in Havana, weightlifting in Mayabeque and men's handball in Santiago de Cuba started their activities, she said.  

Ramón Ají, head of school sports on the island, said that in athletics, judo, table tennis, badminton and swimming, there will also be competitions for athletes with disabilities.

He highlighted that this competition of future Cuban champions will have a mascot for the first time in its 60 years of existence, named Catín.

Agustín Abril, director of sports organization and programming of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder), reiterated the importance of celebrating these 60 JENs, even in the midst of a complex context in which the country has so many limitations, which has been an additional challenge.

However, it was always decided to hold them for the benefit of these young athletes who prepare themselves with great effort with the aim of competing and representing their provinces in this sporting event, he said.

The closing ceremony of the event will take place on July 15 at the School of Sport Initiation (EIDE) Captain Orestes Acosta, in Santiago de Cuba.

In the case of the capital, it will host 5 sports: swimming, water polo, fencing, field tennis and artistic gymnastics.

During the 59 editions of the JEN, Havana has led the standings, hence the goal will be to maintain that crown.