CAMAGÜEY.- This February 23, the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder) celebrated its 60th anniversary, an event that the Cuban people planned to celebrate at the height of the joys that said institution has given during all that time, but the pandemic of the new coronavirus upset the original idea.

The highest authorities of the organization announced that the birthday would be celebrated in the best way, working together with the people in this battle for life. According to Mario Núñez Caballero, provincial director of Sports, “In Camagüey the Inder workers are redoubling their efforts to help the health authorities and the Defense Council in research, sanitation and as support personnel in isolation centers. We also add our forces to agriculture, to increase food production and alleviate the crisis that the disease has brought with it. "

The manager informed Adelante.cu that "In honor of the date we are working on construction works in the municipality of Esmeralda, including the wrestling gym."

For the occasion, a total of 38 Inder employees in the province are given the commemorative stamp for the 60th Anniversary.

At the national level, an activities plan was organized, among which the premiere of a 21-episode television series directed by the filmmaker Rolando Almirante stands out. Voluntad's audiovisuals reflect the history, impact, and significance of the Institute inside and outside of Cuba in the voice of its protagonists.

In addition, the Inder's 60th Anniversary Virtual Race and the traditional gala were held, broadcast live on February 23 on television and on the Internet.

In 2021, the qualification process for the Tokyo Olympic Games and the conclusion of the 60th National Baseball Series remain as priorities.

In such a way, the Cuban sports movement reaches the 60th birthday of the organization that, promoted by Fidel, has placed the country on the highest podiums and has given its people recreation and health as rights.

2020 OF CHALLENGES AND VICTORIES

In Camagüey, the workers and athletes of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder) had a very different year than usual in 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic was the main protagonist and forced them to change scenarios and dynamics, as the provincial director of Sports, Mario Núñez Caballero, explained to Adelante.cu.

According to the manager, “after the suspension of the national competitive calendar, the members of the organization made ourselves available to the Provincial Defense Council to support the confrontation with the coronavirus. More than 2,300 teachers, athletes and support personnel were involved in such an important mission in the first stage. Facilities such as the Cerro Pelado EIDE, the EPEF Inés Luaces, the boxing academy, the Cándido González stadium and the sports motel became isolation centers, even the motel still houses the Military Hospital staff.

—This panorama also forced to change operating structures ...

—We are left with the lesson that technologies can be used more to organize events, meetings or campaigns. The athletes also learned to take advantage of the spaces at home to prepare. Many things are here to stay. However, we did not stop, we reorganized and focused the greatest forces on the construction, repair and maintenance of facilities. About three million pesos were invested in the enrollment of stadiums, academies, gyms and sports teams in the territory. With the new normality the town found spaces restored and ready for the practice of physical exercises.

—It is striking that most of the investments were in municipalities. Is this part of a strategy?

—Yes, we bet on the rescue of the areas and facilities in the most intricate places. A recent study showed that around 80% of the world and Olympic medalists in Cuba came from rural areas or far from the provincial capitals; however, today more than 60% of the enrollment in our schools comes from the city of Camagüey. Therefore, in addition to providing recreation opportunities to the populations of other municipalities, we seek to rescue that potential.

"The country's leadership decided that we welcome the national wrestling, athletics and boxing preselections at the beginning of the training sessions heading to Tokyo and here they were in the best conditions. Perhaps 80% of the medalists that Cuba will have in the Olympics have been here at that stage.

"While waiting for 2021 to be a better year, we will be ready for any challenge, because Inder workers in Camagüey always win."