Minister of Education Lights Torch for the 5th Annual School Sports Games

Minister of Education Lights Torch for the 5^th Annual School Sports Games
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 4/15/2012

Education Minister, Josefina Pimentel, headed the torch-lighting ceremony marking the opening of the 5th School Sports Games to be held in San Juan de la Maguana from April 26 through May 4, with the participation of 2,835 athletes from numerous public schools.

“For this reason, the Ministry of Education (MINERD in Spanish) has enjoyed a great deal of support from the Ministry of Sports, the Economic Food Centers, the Metropolitan Office of Buses (OMSA in Spanish) and the Ministry of Public Health,” said Minister Pimentel.

Giving the main speech at the activity, Minister Pimentel said that for the Dominican education system, with its 2.7 million students, the games are of great importance and that all of the schools involved are working intensely to make this year´s competitions successful.

She said the Dominican government of President Leonel Fernández is fully committed to the organization and successful development of these school sports competitions.

“For this reason, the Ministry of Education (MINERD in Spanish) has enjoyed a great deal of support from the Ministry of Sports, the Economic Food Centers, the Metropolitan Office of Buses (OMSA in Spanish) and the Ministry of Public Health,” said Minister Pimentel.

Pimentel added that the Games also enjoy the cooperation of security agencies and other entities that are contributing economic resources and labor so that student athletes can concentrate and achieve their goals in the competitions that await them.

She said the education system needs more emphasis and development of school sports. Physical exercise promotes better discipline, development of the mind and body and keeps children and teens occupied in healthy activities outdoors in the fresh air which stimulates free competition with clear rules.

The Education Minister reported that RD$75 million pesos have been invested in the school games, of which MINERD contributed 50% and other state institutions, such as the Ministry of Sports,  INEFI and OMSA contributed the rest.

Likewise, José Joaquín Puello, honorable president of the Games, said the celebration of this school sports program has become a landmark in the history of national sports because it has made a reality something that has been sought after for years, “that national sports competitions should remain in the schools.

The former president of the Dominican Olympic Committee (DOC in Spanish) confirmed that true athletic natural resources are found in the schools.

Following the lighting of the torch, Minister Pimentel passed it on to  Marian Feliz, a student from the Marillac School, who along with other athletes and trainers began running with the flame held high along Máximo Gómez Ave in the direction of Patria Mella, Panamá and the Fabio A. Mota schools in Santo Domingo East.

Father Kennedy Rodríguez, of San Antonio de Padua Parish, blessed the opening event, which was held on the esplanade of the main MINERD headquarters.

The Minister of Education was accompanied by Gissel Feliz, administrative deputy minister; José Manuel Paniagua, director of INEFI; Argentina Henríquez and Francisca Suero, directors of regions 10 and 15 respectively.

Deputy Ministers, directors of departments, MINERD officials as well as other invited guests were at the event.

On Monday the 16^th, the torch will be carried to schools in Higüey, San Pedro de Macorís and Monte Plata. On Tuesday, it will be in Nagua and on Wednesday in Cotuí and San Francisco de Macorís.

Minister of Education, Josefina Pimentel, hands the lit torch to Marian Feliz, student at Marillac School.