UNICEF: Sports in Cuba Guaranteed for All

[Mika]

Sports in Cuba Guaranteed for All
http://www.radionuevitas.co.cu/web_english/news/deportes_020608_1.asp

UNICEF representative in Cuba, Jose Juan Ortiz said on Thursday that extending the experiences of Cuban soceity, in which sports is a right for all from childhood to senior citizens, was the main theme of the master conferenced offered by the UN official.

The UNICEF official, in his conference entitled, "sports as the basis of citizen's education", pointed out that Cuba is an example in the compliance of the Convention of the Rights of Children, which was ratified by the majority of the nations in the world except the United States and Somalia.

He explained that in all civilizations, humanity has looked towards recreation and games to relate to each other and a way of looking for enjoyment, something that is invaded by commercialization and personel interests.

The UN official valued the current situation of Ibero American Physical Education, region that has many problems with children and interests for governments of such nations to look after an increase of sports activities as an instrument to stop child violence and other problems.

He stressed the need to educate a child to respect his opponent. Ortiz ended his master conference urging the 32 nations present at the Ibero American Physical Education Summit to continue Cuba's example where sports and education are symbols of citizenship and equal rights.

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[Judi Lynn]

1. What this man said makes so much sense, doesn't it?

People get WAAAAY too involved, too egotistically caught up in sports in our culture: too damned determined to win at all costs. Clearly people don't enjoy events with so much hostility engaged.

Your article reminds me that the U.N. in so many capacities interacts a LOT with Cuba, with Cubans. We just don't hear about it here unless we decide to research for ourselves.

Still recall reading about the glowing remarks from U.N. officials to Cubans on their approach to agriculture, and to their environmental work. I've heard so many remarks, as well, on their amazing ability to organize and protect people, their livestock, their pets, etc. during national crises like hurricanes.

Thanks for the information.