The Santiago de Cuba baseball team was forced to cancel their training session on Wednesday due to a lack of food and snacks for the players, as reported by local journalist Yosmany Mayeta. "There was nothing available to eat today, not even something light to keep the practice going," sources close to the athletes revealed.
This incident, highlighted by Mayeta on his well-followed Facebook page, underscores the severe food and organizational crisis plaguing Cuban sports, which are suffering due to shortages, blackouts, and a lack of material resources. Baseball, often seen as the national pastime on the island, is experiencing one of its most challenging periods with players facing malnutrition, deteriorating stadiums, and a continuous exodus of talent to foreign leagues.
The inability of a historically significant team like Santiago de Cuba to provide basic nutrition to its players is seen as a sign of the decline in the country's sports system, noted a publication. This isn't the first time that the issue of sustenance has directly affected high-performance sports.
In July, officials from the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (Inder) admitted to the National Assembly that over 50% of the events in the sports calendar were canceled due to energy shortages and food scarcity. Cristina Luna Morales, head of the parliamentary commission on Health, Culture, and Sports, acknowledged that the situation has impacted athletes' training and the number of participants nationwide.
Even Osvaldo Vento Montiller, president of Inder, admitted that they have had to establish gardens and agreements with agricultural producers to "minimally" ensure the athletes' diets in schools and training centers.
Understanding the Impact of Cuba's Sports Crisis
What caused the Santiago baseball team to halt their training?
The team halted training due to a lack of food and snacks for the players, reflecting the broader food crisis in Cuba.
How is the food crisis affecting Cuban sports?
The crisis has resulted in poorly nourished players, deteriorating sports facilities, and a significant number of athletes leaving for foreign leagues.
What measures has Inder taken to address the food issue for athletes?
Inder has initiated the creation of gardens and partnerships with agricultural producers to ensure a minimal diet for athletes in training centers and schools.