President of Cuba’s INDER Arrives for Junior Pan American Games

The firm belief that Cuba will meet its objectives at the 2nd Junior Pan American Games marked the first remarks made by Osvaldo Vento Montiller, president of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER), upon his arrival in Asunción.

“The evaluations resulting from the hard work carried out in response to the priority assigned by the country, despite well-known economic limitations, and the level of commitment shown across all sports allow us to look at this event with optimism,” he stated, accompanied by INDER Vice President Yamila Teresa Méndez Álvarez.

Vento Montiller, who heads the Cuban delegation for the competition set to take place from August 9 to 23, noted that although not without challenges, the athletes’ preparation was once again shaped by a multidisciplinary approach grounded in science and innovation.

He emphasized that the effort to secure 231 athlete slots across 28 disciplines reflects the strategic importance of this competition, which is designed to assess the best of Cuba’s athletic reserve, including athletes with potential to represent the country at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Vento Montiller also acknowledged the support of Cuba’s diplomatic mission in Paraguay. Cuban Ambassador Francisco Fernández Peña welcomed him, along with INDER Vice President Omar Venegas Echemendía, who has led coordination efforts with the Games’ Organizing Committee.

“Their contribution to creating the necessary conditions for our delegation’s stay has been essential throughout this process,” he noted, adding that the professionalism and willingness of local authorities have also been key factors.

He highlighted that the 99th and 100th anniversaries of the births of Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz (August 13) and INDER’s first president, José Llanusa Gobert (August 11), will serve as additional motivation for a Cuban delegation determined to bring joy to the nation.

“We will face this competition fully aware of the privilege it is to represent a country that resists and creates amid growing aggression from an empire that fuels hatred and upholds a blockade condemned around the world,” he affirmed.

Early Wednesday morning, the Cuban sport shooting team also arrived in Asunción, where Vento Montiller greeted them at their hotel. With this arrival, Cuba now has two sports represented on-site, as the archery team has been training for several days as part of a Panam Sports-hosted training camp.