Cuba is poised to make its mark at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, kicking off its participation this Monday with water polo leading the charge for the delegation. This event occurs four days before the official opening ceremony on July 24 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
As reported by sports portal JIT, the women's team is set to open the games at 9:20 a.m. against Colombia at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center pool. Meanwhile, the men's team will face Guatemala at 8 p.m. in the same venue.
The Anticipated Clash with Colombia
The matchup against Colombia holds significant weight for the Cuban women. During the qualifying tournament in Cali, the two teams met twice with varying results.
"The first game is always crucial, but this one holds a special significance. It was against Colombia that we fought for the bronze medal in the qualifying event," stated Miguel Artires Socarras, head of the women's technical team.
Artires highlighted that in Cali, Cuba defeated Colombia in the preliminary phase but lost in the battle for third place. He also noted that Colombia recently gained a competitive edge by participating in an open tournament in Brazil just two weeks ago.
Challenges and Team Dynamics
Although Cuba faces a lack of international competition, Artires remains optimistic about their prospects: "Despite the absence of international exposure, we aim for a medal and believe we have a competitive chance."
He emphasized the importance of Mayrelis Zuzunegui Morgan, calling her a central figure in the team: "She has been a pillar of our sport, contributing both as a coach and athlete, and now she returns solely as an athlete. Her presence is vital to our team's unity."
Men's Team Aims for Success
Mario Andrés Bermúdez Ariosa, the men's technical director, set a clear goal: "We aim to be among the medalists in these Games. Our team combines youth and experience to achieve this."
Bermúdez Ariosa explained that veterans like Remis de Armas, Pedro Enrique Ponsa, Yasmani Rizo, and Raidel Martínez bolster the team, which mostly comprises newcomers: "I've always told them they are the heart of the team, and the seasoned players are here to support them."
The coaches identified Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Colombia as the tournament's toughest competitors.
Bermúdez Ariosa also acknowledged the challenge of limited competition experience: "These teams have had ample opportunities to compete, a luxury we lack, arriving in Santo Domingo with only the qualifying tournament under our belt."
Ambitions Beyond Water Polo
Cuba is participating in the Games with a delegation of 504 athletes across 42 sports, aiming to finish among the top three in the medal standings, seeking to match or surpass the third-place finish achieved in San Salvador 2023 with 74 gold medals.
The lead-up to the Games was overshadowed by the mass defection of the canoeing team, where at least nine out of the 12 members deserted the delegation during the Pan American Championship in Montreal on July 15.
Alongside the water polo teams, Cuban weightlifters traveled on Sunday, set to begin their competitions on August 5 after establishing a training base in the Dominican Republic.
Key Questions About Cuba's Participation in Santo Domingo 2026
What is the significance of Cuba's debut match against Colombia?
The debut match against Colombia is significant because it was the team Cuba faced for the bronze medal in the qualifying tournament. This adds an extra layer of competitiveness and importance to the match.
Who is a key player in the Cuban women's water polo team?
Mayrelis Zuzunegui Morgan is highlighted as a central figure and key player in the team, contributing her experience and leadership as an athlete.
What are the goals for the Cuban men's water polo team in these Games?
The Cuban men's water polo team aims to secure a place among the medalists by leveraging a mix of youth and experience.