The flag to be carried by the Cuban team at the VI Under-23 Baseball World Cup, which begins this coming Friday in Nicaragua, was placed in the hands of pitcher Randy Román Martínez today.

The pitcher received the national banner from José Antonio Miranda, general director of High Performance at Inder, and sports legend Rodolfo Puente.

"Fight and return home with the conviction that you did everything for victory," encouraged Juan Reynaldo Pérez Pardo, president of the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation, who highlighted the efforts of families and teachers to ensure the athletes' training.

While reading the oath, catcher Carlos Daniel Chávez expressed the delegation's commitment to give everything for a result worthy of the people's applause.

The flag-bearing ceremony took place at Havana's iconic Latinoamericano Stadium, whose baseball mystique and history inspire new generations, 80 years after its inauguration on October 26, 1946.

The island delegation will travel to the competition venue today.

Cuba will debut on November 6 against South Korea at the Rigoberto López Stadium in the city of León, located over 70 kilometers from Managua, a game for which José Ignacio Bermúdez was announced as the starting pitcher.

That match carries hints of a rematch following the Asian team's 4-0 victory the only time they have faced each other.

Subsequent matchdays bring duels against South Africa (7th), Japan (8th), Venezuela (9th), and Great Britain (10th), all members of preliminary Group A, from which only the top three placed teams will advance to the super round.

In the other group, Puerto Rico, Panama, Czechia, Australia, Chinese Taipei, and the hosts were placed.

Japan leads the historical medal count in Under-23 World Cups with three titles (2016, 2022, and 2024) and one silver, followed by Mexico (gold in 2018 and one silver), Venezuela (champion in 2021 and a bronze), South Korea (0-1-1), Australia and Puerto Rico (0-1-0), Colombia, Chinese Taipei, and Nicaragua (0-0-1).