This Monday the Central American and Caribbean Games San Salvador 2023 were officially launched by the Organizing Committee.
The president of the Organizing Committee of the Central American and Caribbean Games San Salvador 2023 (COSSAN2023), Yamil Bukele, presented this Monday the official image of the twenty-fourth edition of the fair, which will host the Salvadoran capital between June 23 and September 8. July of this year.
Under the motto: “It’s time to move up”, Bukele showed the great sports family of the region the logo of San Salvador 2023, where seven stars stand out forming a circle, representing the constant movement, evolution and transformation process that he is experiencing. The Savior.
“The stars have guided humanity since its origins and have become a symbol that represents harmony, prosperity and glory. These stars of our logo represent: progress, confidence, prosperity, hope, energy, innovation and value”, explained Bukele.
After unveiling the official logo of the Games, the official highlighted the positive changes that El Salvador has had in recent months.
“Things don’t happen by chance. No one is as committed to the development of El Salvador as we are, as this Government. Tourism has increased, the population feels safe thanks to the frontal fight against gangs and organized crime, the support and sports results are visible to all, ”Bukele stressed in his presentation speech.
The president of COSSAN2023 recalled that “sport is a long-term process and we also know that dreams can come true. Therefore, it is time to transcend, as the motto of the twenty-fourth Central American and Caribbean Games San Salvador 2023 says.
The official stressed the articulated work of the Sports Cabinet, made up of different entities of the Government of the President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, in a clear and strong commitment to sport.
“With these games we are reiterating our commitment to the Salvadoran sports family. Thanks to the support of our strategic partners from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, which provided us with financing for up to $115.2 million dollars, nine venues, at first, are being intervened to become venues for the competitions that will start on June 23 and they will end on July 8 of this year,” the official explained.
He also referred to the million-dollar investment that is being made at the University of El Salvador, which will function as Villa Deportiva.
“As if that were not enough, we are investing $30 million dollars in the infrastructure of the central campus of the University of El Salvador, which will serve as Villa Deportiva for this event. The legacy, as you can see, is not only for sports, but also for the educational community of the alma mater”, he added.
Bukele recalled that, in July 2020, Panama declined to host the 2022 Central American and Caribbean Games as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We, in El Salvador, saw an opportunity in that news. We knew that our country had not hosted a fair like this for 20 years. We knew that our country was changing, becoming a safer, more modern nation. We knew that we were fighting the best way against COVID-19. We knew it was our opportunity”, emphasized the president of COSSAN2023.
“We spoke with the President of the Republic, Mr. Nayib Bukele, and we presented the scenario to him. The challenge was difficult, but we love that. That is why we proposed to Centro Caribe Sports that they give us the venue for the twenty-fourth edition of these games. Puerto Rico also presented its candidacy, but after the Puerto Ricans withdrew, on May 16, 2021 we received notification that San Salvador would again have, after 21 years, the Central American and Caribbean Games. Since then we have not had time to rest. The only thing going through our heads is the desire to show that El Salvador is now a better country. In all aspects. And sport is not far behind”, added Bukele.
The event was also attended by Luis Mejía, president of Centro Caribe Sports (CCS), who recognized the work carried out by COSSAN2023, despite the tight time to organize the sports fair.
“This is a magical moment since they not only represent the people of El Salvador. You have to represent us all. From tonight they become the capital of sports”, said Mejía.
El Salvador will host the Central American and Caribbean Games for the third time in its history. The first time was in 1935 and the second in 2002.
For his part, Armando Bruni, president of the Olympic Committee of El Salvador (COES), thanked CCS for the opportunity it gives the country to organize this great regional event.
«I want to thank @CentroCaribeS for the opportunity that it gives El Salvador to organize these Games. President Mejía already said it: “we are organizing in 2 years, what any other country would do in 6 years”, Bruni reiterated.
For this twenty-fourth edition, 32 sports will be developed in San Salvador and six in the Santo Domingo sub-venue, with a total of 54 sports disciplines. 433 tests will be carried out during the 17 days of competition, in 21 venues and 48 stages to be used.
Also accompanied by the president of the Municipal Institute of Sports and Recreation of the Mayor’s Office of San Salvador (IMDER), Mónica Fuentes, who stressed the importance of the sporting event.
“On behalf of the mayor of San Salvador, Mario Durán, we are joining this great sports festival that will leave a great legacy for the country.”
A participation of more than 5,000 athletes from 37 countries (31 national Olympic committees plus six overseas territories associated with Centro Caribe Sports) is expected.
In total, COSSAN2023 has produced 50 technical manuals and 43 international technical delegates (DTI) will participate in this event.
The games will be inaugurated on June 23 and closed on July 8. Both ceremonies will take place at the Jorge “El Mágico” González National Stadium.
