This reality in Cuba today was emphasized many times by Fidel, and the development of Cuban sports, as an essential part of the Revolution, was evident during celebrations in this city of Physical Culture and Sport Day, an honor won by residents here “in a good fight,” according to Osvaldo Vento Montiller, president of the Cuban Institute for Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (Inder).
"It has been something special, we are infected with this spirit of victory and sports is seen as an expression of the Revolution’s conquests," he said during a working tour of the city which, on November 19, became a carnival of sports for athletes and spectators of all ages.
The contribution of Fidel as the main promoter of the Cuban sports movement and other essential figures, including Ernesto Che Guevara and José Ramón (El Gallego) Fernández, was recognized at the gala on the eve of activities at the Yayabo sports center, the flagship sports facility in Sancti Spíritus, which recently reopened its doors.
The celebration of sports moved the following day to what was called the Active Zone, including the extensive esplanade between the Avenue of the Martyrs and University Boulevard, in the neighborhood of Olivos I, where, for almost five hours, children, students, workers, seniors and the people in general enjoyed the eight areas planned for sports and entertainment.
Martial arts, traditional games, baseball, volleyball, basketball, soccer for everyone, simultaneous chess, an exhibition of rustic equipment, an athletics festival, canine sports, a bio-health skills competition, board games, water events, gymnastics routines and even exercises for pregnant women were among the activities available.
Deivy Pérez Martín, first secretary of the Sancti Spíritus Provincial Party Committee, and Teresita Romero Rodríguez, president of the Provincial Assembly of People’s Power, accompanied the Inder President during a tour of several sports facilities in the provincial capital, renovated for the occasion.
In context
Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz, as Prime Minister of the Revolutionary government, on November 19, 1961, attended the closing session of the national plenary of Volunteer Inder Councils, in Havana’s Ciudad Deportiva.
In our country, when the Revolution triumphed, only 0.25% of the population practiced sports or participated in physical education.
If the Revolution would have disregarded that concern, it would have neglected a fundamental issue, which would in the future make for a healthier citizenry, as we aspire.
Sports is a wonderful activity that not only contributes to physical health, but also to shaping character, not only forging strong-bodied men and women, but also encouraging the people, entertaining the people, and making people happy.
The Council of Ministers Executive Committee, with Decree 128 of January 26, 1985, established November 19 as Physical Culture and Sports Day, which has been celebrated consistently since that time.
Source: Speech by Fidel Castro Ruz at the closing of the National Plenary of the Volunteer Sports Councils in 1961.
