The Juan Pablo Duarte 2025 Patriotic Sports Games Inaugurated in New York
With the vibrant rhythm of merengue and the presence of the emblematic “diablos cojuelos”, the Minister of Sports, Ing. Kelvin Cruz, officially inaugurated the Juan Pablo Duarte 2025 Patriotic Sports Games in New York City.
Lehman College was the chosen venue for the opening ceremony of this important sports competition, which will bring together more than 2,500 Dominican athletes residing on the east coast of the United States.
Minister Cruz was accompanied by prominent figures, including the Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New York, Jesús “Chu” Vásquez, and the Mayor of New York, Eric Adams. Also present were sports leaders from the Big Apple, led by Roberto Rojas, along with other representatives of the Dominican Sports Union in New York.
The games will last for 15 days, during which competitions will be held in 21 sports disciplines.
Cruz urged athletes to compete with honor and patriotic spirit, highlighting the possibility that many of them will represent the nation in the future.
The Olympic torch was transported to Lehman College by former professional baseball umpire Berman Mejía. The sports oath was pronounced by 100-meter runner Ámbar Fulgencio.
These games are dedicated to Lic. Luisín Mejía Oviedo, president of Centro Caribe Sports, and have the support of the Ministry of Sports, the Dominican Consulate in New York, and the Banco de Reservas.
The general organization of the event is in charge of Roberto Rojas, while the technical direction is under the responsibility of Pedro Pablo Pérez.
