Children Athletes in Cuba Left Without Food or Shelter for Over 20 Hours

A group of young athletes from Isla de la Juventud faced neglect after being stranded at the Santa Clara train station for over 20 hours without food, water, or adequate resting facilities. These children had just participated in the National School Games, only to be abandoned afterward.

Activist Lara Crofs, known by her real name Yamilka Lafita, shared the shocking incident on social media, where it quickly went viral, sparking outrage. The complaint was led by Arianny, a mother of one of the affected children, aged between 13 and 15, who highlighted the complete lack of assistance from both the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER) and local government authorities.

“They didn’t eat anything after 6 PM. They slept on the floor, exhausted, without even a snack,” Arianny recounted. Her testimony pointed out the neglect these young athletes faced, enduring conditions unfit for anyone, particularly for children who had just represented their province in a national competition.

Parents seeking answers were met with evasions, empty promises, and comments they found offensive. They were informed about a transit school available in Mayabeque, over 300 kilometers away, but without any details on transportation. Meanwhile, these young athletes suffered from hunger, fatigue, and abandonment.

“INDER can sign contracts with foreign coaches like the Brazilian Luizomar de Moura, but it fails to ensure the safe return of children athletes to their homes,” Crofs criticized. “This isn’t an isolated failure. It’s a pattern of negligence ingrained in the system,” she added.

The tradition of canoeing in Isla de la Juventud seems neglected by institutional apathy. The dedication of coaches and families receives no support from a state structure now incapable of ensuring transportation, food, or even basic dignity for its young athletes.

“Sports in Cuba require profound, genuine change where athletes are respected and provided the necessary support to thrive,” the activist concluded.

Dporto Sports MEDIA also highlighted the issue, sharing an extensive message on Facebook, including a video from Arianny, who turned to them after exhausting all formal channels without success.

In her complaint, Arianny detailed the canoeing team's ordeal from Isla de la Juventud, a discipline considered a hallmark of the special municipality, which suffered from a series of neglects, including the endless wait at Santa Clara station and a total lack of logistical support before, during, and after the event.

“From 6 PM the previous day at the event venue in Cienfuegos until they boarded the train, they had no water or snacks. All they ate in 23 hours was a croquette sandwich,” Arianny wrote. The young athletes were later sent to a transit school in Mayabeque with very poor conditions. INDER's only response was that they could “eat and rest” there, which was far from adequate.

Arianny also denounced that for months, parents have been warning about the poor state of sports in the area: the team lacks a K4 canoe for competitions, and INDER's management has refused to purchase one despite available private producers in Villa Clara. This was the only event they could attend this year due to the lack of arranged travel or transport for the boats.

“This happened because we, the parents, complained. No one else is interested. INDER's director doesn’t answer the phone. It’s all due to poor management,” insisted Arianny, noting that despite everything, two athletes from the island were selected for the national team due to their performance at these Games.

Dporto Sports MEDIA harshly criticized the institutional abandonment, questioning, “Why host an event without the minimum conditions to prevent such regrettable situations?” They ended with a direct message: “Don’t blame the messenger. Focus on resolving these issues and forget about the messenger. Ultimately, it’s those kids enduring this terrible experience who should truly be of concern.”