The National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder) today unveiled an ambitious project to develop sea and beach sports in Cuba, integrating high performance with environmental stewardship.

The initiative was presented by Master of Science Paolo Hernández, the project leader, to specialized journalists in one of the halls of the Coliseo de la Ciudad Deportiva in the capital.

“A diagnosis carried out in 2022 revealed that few nautical disciplines were being practiced in an organized way in the country. Based on that, we designed a strategy to expand their reach, foster inclusion, and promote physical and social well-being in coastal communities,” Hernández said.

The project includes key partnerships with the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur), which will provide facilities and technical resources to boost new tourism offerings. It also envisions coordination with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the organization of scientific and competitive events between 2025 and 2026.

Among those events is the First Havana Sea and Beach Festival 2025, which will begin on August 6 in social clubs in the western part of the capital and on eastern beaches, as part of the “Forever Young Summer” program.

The sports included range from beach volleyball, soccer, wrestling, and tennis to sailing, rowing, open water swimming, underwater activities, and disciplines adapted for people with disabilities. “We seek to make these sports common practice throughout the country, from grassroots to high performance,” the expert added.

The calendar features summer and winter festivals, methodological workshops, and scientific sessions in Havana, in the Varadero resort area of Matanzas, and in other provinces. These events will serve to validate strategies, develop talent, and promote environmental awareness among athletes, families, and the general public.

“This project not only aims for sports results, but also to generate social, economic, and ecological impact in our communities,” Hernández affirmed.

With this vision, Cuba positions itself as a regional benchmark in the sustainable development of sports.