The 60th edition of the National School Games (JEN) will be inaugurated today at the coliseum of the Ciudad Deportiva, in this capital, in an activity that will begin at 6:30 pm.

In this important event, the main source of the Cuban sports movement, 33 school disciplines, 12 youths and one pioneer will be invited.

Yadira Rodríguez, technical head of school sports in Cuba, told the press that 6,594 athletes and 9,401 participants in general will be involved in the JEN.

She added that boxing in the province of Guantánamo and tennis in Havana began their activities on Thursday, while fencing in Havana, weightlifting in Mayabeque and men’s handball in Santiago de Cuba started a day later, she said.

Ramón Ají, head of school sport on the island, said that in athletics, judo, table tennis, badminton and swimming, there will also be competitions for athletes with disabilities.

He pointed out that this competition for future Cuban champions will have a mascot for the first time in its 60 years of existence, named Catín.

Agustín Abril, director of sports organisation and programming at the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder), reiterated the importance of celebrating these 60 JENs, even in the midst of a complex context in which the country has so many limitations, which has been an additional challenge.

However, it was always decided to hold them to the delight of these young athletes who prepare with great effort with the aim of competing and representing their provinces in this sporting event, he said.

The closing ceremony of the event will take place on 15 July at the Escuela de Iniciación Deportiva (EIDE) Capitán Orestes Acosta, in Santiago de Cuba.

In the case of the capital, five sports will be hosted: swimming, water polo, fencing, field tennis and artistic gymnastics.

During the 59 editions of the JEN, Havana has led the standings, so the goal will be to maintain that crown.