Athletes criticize the poor condition of the Eustorgio Colmenares Coliseum in Cúcuta

Athletes in the city of Cúcuta are concerned, after the poor state of the Eustorgio Colmenares Baptista Coliseum, where the number one tennis player in Colombia, María Camila Osorio, and the Olympic champion Jossimar Calvo also train.

Athletes have denounced that this rainy season that occurs in the North Santander capital has damaged the roof of the coliseum, generating large leaks, affecting the sports implements of the different disciplines such as: artistic gymnastics, judo, volleyball, brush and table tennis.

For his part, Professor Jairo Ruiz, Jossimar Calvo’s coach, stated in an interview that “this sports arena was poorly built and has had several investments, but there are many leaks in the roof, causing our practice equipment to deteriorate, we are quite sad about this situation.”

This problem has generated at least 100 athletes are affected by these damages to the infrastructure, Some have even had to reduce their training hours because when it starts to rain they have to move everything to prevent the implements from getting wet and damaged; in addition to sweeping, mopping and removing water.

Athletes state that these sports implements are very expensive, so they try to take care of them in case of any eventuality, as they assure that acquiring them has not been easy. “One of these bases is worth $140 million and who is going to give it to us? It will be difficult for them to give us other devices”, Ruiz noted in his complaint.

Mayor responds

For his part, the mayor of Cúcuta, Jairo Yánez, assured that together with the Municipal Institute for Recreation and Sports (IMRD), who is in charge of improving this scenario and maintaining it, they will be committed to solving this problem. sooner.

In addition, the municipal administration is aware that a majority investment is required due to the deterioration it represents, after being an old coliseum, regardless of the refractions that have been carried out. Reason for which, a commission from the Ministry of Sport will visit this scene in the coming days to assess the damage.

“It is necessary to change the dome. We are requesting the Ministry of Sport to see if we can do it together. The change would have a cost in excess of 3,500 million pesos”, assured the director of the IMRD, Oscar Montes.

In addition, WEEKconsulted the director of Indenorte, Diego González, who expressed his total commitment together with the government of Norte de Santander, with the aim of benefiting the athletes of the region, who have left the name of the department at the top.

“We are looking at how to solve the problem. For now, immediately, control the issue of leaks and offer protection for implements. This in the short term because we know that the cover must be changed and we will support the Mayor’s Office in obtaining these resources”, Gonzalez assured.

The bidding process is expected to start as soon as possible, because in the meantime the athletes will continue training in these conditions that are not optimal for them. In addition to the contributions that can be delivered from the Ministry of Sport after his visit to the stage.