Preamble of Afide 2025 calls for thinking and acting in diversity
The president of Inder, Osvaldo Vento Montiller, inaugurated this Wednesday the I Symposium on Sport, Environment and Society in an environment of social inclusion, with a call to reflect and act to promote good practices in these areas.
In his speech, the executive stressed that this meeting is part of the first stage of the XI International Convention on Physical Activity and Sport, known as Afide, to be held in 2025.
«From 2021 to 2024, the project «The practice of sport and physical activity as a tool for social inclusion» has been implemented, associated with the Sport and Human Development Sector Programme, which has given rise to the event we are inaugurating today,» he expressed before more than 200 experts who will meet in the rooms of the Arenas Blancas and Palma Real hotels, in Varadero.
«This symposium demonstrates the need to continue to deepen the psychosocial and psycho-pedagogical aspects that influence individuals in the field of physical activity and sport at different levels, from a gender perspective, according to the diversity of current problems,» he added.
Vento Montiller said that a new sectoral programme will start in 2025, covering a wide range of research projects aimed at the national priorities defined by the government.
The day was attended by Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist, wrestler Milaimys Marín Potrillé.
In this sense, she stressed that «a sports system in any political context must assume a role that contributes to change, supported by its services, programmes and athletes, who are sources of inspiration and example for all».
In addressing the inclusion and role of Cuban women, he pointed out that more than 20% of the total number of medals won by Cuba in sporting competitions have a female stamp, as well as the number of systematic practitioners.
«Our Omara Durand and the Morenas del Caribe, multiple world and Olympic champions, are the best examples of how social inclusion is approached through sport,» she said.
Vento Montiller also referred to the challenges of the sports movement to ensure the sustainability of physical activity and sport in a climate of full inclusion. Among the challenges mentioned are improving the quality, equity of access and diversity of physical activity offers at different levels, ensuring the contribution to comprehensive training, physical and mental health, and differentiated attention to the population.
He also highlighted the relevance and results of the application of science, innovation and technology in solving the demands of equity in access and inclusion in the Cuban sports system.
In welcoming those present, the head of Inder said: «We hope that this event will contribute to this broad purpose and that each one of us, with our know-how, will contribute to achieving a fully inclusive and sustainable sport».
Vento Montiller’s presentation and the recorded message of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, Inés María Chapman, were among the most followed and applauded in a session that was attended by the General Secretary of the National Union of Science, Education and Sport Workers, Niurka González Orberá.
During the day, Vento Montiller and the Rector of the University of Physical Culture and Sport Sciences, Silvano Merced Len, signed an agreement to strengthen working relations.
In the afternoon, they worked in commissions. Merced Len addressed the issue of inclusion and diversity in the training of Physical Culture professionals, highlighting the Morenas del Caribe as paradigms of Olympism in Cuba.
Dr. Mayda Orihuela, from the Provincial Centre of Sports Medicine in Havana, presented the documentary «Morenas del Caribe» to several of its protagonists.
Thursday will be the second day of the conclave. The main conference «Strength training for women», to be given by Dr. Iván Román Suárez, is scheduled for the morning session.
