An alarming criminal incident cast a shadow over the National Futsal Championship when members of the Pinar del Río team were robbed at the Mulgoba sports motel, operated by the INDER, in Havana. As reported by Lorenzo Martínez Gener, former head coach of the Provincial Futsal Team, the players had their mobile phones stolen during the night, allegedly by an individual who may have been employed at the facility.
Martínez recounted that the athletes were asleep in their rooms when the thief entered and took their devices. Despite this distressing event, the team, in Havana for the National Futsal Championship, spent much of their day at the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) station providing statements about the incident.
Even amidst this adversity, the team managed to triumph in their match but were unable to share their victory with family due to the loss of their communication devices. The incident was described as "unbelievable and unprofessional" by the coach, who criticized the absence of representation from the Cuban Football Association (AFC) and provincial authorities during the aftermath.
"If this can happen at an event scheduled by the country's sports governing body and its federation, what can we expect for the general public?" Martínez questioned. He highlighted how such events undermine the security at official competitions and impact the nation's sports elite.
To date, the AFC has not issued an official statement regarding the incident. Those affected are hopeful for the return of their phones, underscoring that losing a phone in today's Cuban context is a significant hardship.
"The most crucial thing is recovering the phones. In Cuba, losing a mobile phone feels almost as painful as losing a loved one, given the current times," he concluded.
This case reignites the discussion on the security conditions at sports facilities and the urgent need for swift and effective responses to criminal activities.
Security Concerns in Cuban Sports Facilities
What happened to the Pinar del Río Futsal Team?
The team was victimized by a theft at the Mulgoba sports motel, losing their mobile phones during the night, allegedly taken by a worker at the facility.
How did the team respond to the theft?
Despite the theft, the team played and won their match but spent significant time with police authorities to report the crime.
What criticism did the incident receive?
The incident was criticized for the lack of professionalism and the absence of support from the Cuban Football Association and local authorities.