SANTO DOMINGO. The director of the National Institute of Physical Education (INEFI), Alberto Rodríguez Mella, stated that “it is a commitment of the Dominican government, which has to get involved in this type of project” such as the staging of international events in the country.
Rodríguez Mella considered that it is a high honor to preside over the judo qualifier for the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador 2023 and the Pan American Open that will distribute points for the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The head of INEFI was positioned as president of the organizing committee of the two qualifying events in a meeting with the press held on Wednesday in the activities room of the Dominican Judo Federation (Fedojudo).
The meeting was also chaired by Mr. Gilberto García, president of Fedojudo, as well as Luisa Martínez, general secretary; Wilkin Ogando, director of training; Leidi Germán, technical director, and María García, general coordinator of school projects and world judo medalist.
“It is a commitment that we assume and from now on we are knocking on doors and working to make this judo qualifier a great success,” said Rodríguez Mella, who highlighted the disciplinary characteristics of this sport and the commitment to expand its practice in schools.
“Our position is to encourage sports practice in every corner of the country,” he added.
The judo qualifier will take place in the Volleyball Pavilion of the Olympic Center, as reported by Mr. Gilberto García during his speech.
“We value the initiative of the director of INEFI and we support the dynamics that Alberto Rodríguez is executing, as well as support and assume the commitment to preside over this organizing committee,” said García, who announced that the qualifiers will have the participation of athletes from 26 countries from three continents.
The direct qualifier for the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador will be held next Thursday the 20th of this month, while the scoring for the Pan American Games in Chile and the Paris Olympics will be on the 22nd and 23rd.
The Dominican Republic already has 10 places guaranteed for the Games in El Salvador, and will opt for the conquest of the remaining four to complete the male and female teams.