A brief video, lasting less than a minute, vividly depicts the dilapidated state of the San José de las Lajas Sports Hall in Mayabeque Province. Once hailed as Latin America's first multipurpose sports venue, it now languishes in neglect and decay.
Content creator José Raúl Díaz Barrios shared this revealing footage on his channel ‘El Canal de JotaR’, where it has garnered over 18,000 views on Facebook. As Díaz Barrios navigates the crumbling facility, he candidly states, "Friends, you're about to witness the ruins of what was once a significant milestone for Latin America."
The venue first opened its doors on June 28, 1981, for the XIV International Boxing Tournament "Giraldo Córdova Cardín," costing 1.8 million pesos. In its early decades, it hosted premier national and international sporting events, alongside concerts, theater, and circus performances.
The Venue's Storied Past
Díaz Barrios narrates in the video that the hall was a training ground for the Caribbean Queens—Cuba’s women's volleyball team that clinched Olympic gold in Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000. "Here, the Caribbean Queens honed their skills to achieve their Olympic triumphs," he notes.
The venue also witnessed Javier Sotomayor breaking the two-meter high jump barrier for the first time and hosted the first fight between Cuban Olympic champion Armando Martínez and Canadian boxer Shawn O'Sullivan. Additionally, volleyball legends like Karch Kiraly and Steve Timmons, double Olympic champions with the United States in Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988, graced its courts.
From Glory to Neglect
The contrast between its illustrious past and current disrepair is stark. As early as 2014, a local report highlighted that about 85% of the facility was in ruins, with Radio Camoa noting its decade-long disuse. Díaz Barrios encapsulates the overwhelming neglect: "I must confess, being here now is truly astonishing."
The deterioration of this facility is not an isolated case but part of a recurring pattern within Cuba’s sports infrastructure. By 2023, more than half of the country's sports areas were reported to be in poor condition, a direct result of the regime's prolonged neglect and lack of investment.
In Mayabeque, other facilities suffer similar fates. This year, the Campismo Puerto Escondido in Santa Cruz del Norte was declared in total ruin, a pattern extending to sports schools and playgrounds in the province.
Hope Amidst Despair
Despite its condition, the San José de las Lajas Sports Hall remains a hub for local sports, hosting young athletes’ training sessions and provincial championships. Proposed recovery projects from Radio Camoa, including a rehabilitation room, gym, and museum, remain unrealized, existing only on paper.
The Future of San José de las Lajas Sports Hall
What is the current state of the San José de las Lajas Sports Hall?
The San José de las Lajas Sports Hall is in a state of significant disrepair, with about 85% of the facility having been reported as destroyed as early as 2014.
What historical events took place at the San José de las Lajas Sports Hall?
The venue hosted various significant events, including the XIV International Boxing Tournament "Giraldo Córdova Cardín," training for the Caribbean Queens volleyball team, and sports events featuring athletes like Javier Sotomayor and Karch Kiraly.
Are there any plans to restore the San José de las Lajas Sports Hall?
While there are proposed projects for rehabilitation, including a gym and museum, no concrete steps have been taken to implement these plans.