More than 3,000 young athletes from 19 departments across Santa Fe are competing in the provincial finals of the “Santa Fe en Movimiento” program, utilizing newly built and renovated infrastructure from the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games. The competition runs through early October, connecting a new generation of local athletes with sports venues in the provincial capital.
Provincial Finals Bring Thousands to Capital Venues
Youth athletes who advanced through local and departmental qualifying rounds across the province’s 19 departments are currently gathered in the city of Santa Fe for the second provincial stage of the program. Competitions span Monday and Tuesday, with participants housed at the residential complex in the La Esmeralda II neighborhood that previously served as the South American Village during the regional games.
The schedule features four core disciplines: under-15 track and field, under-18 adapted track and field, under-16 adapted swimming, and under-14 3×3 basketball. Additional matches and events take place at ISEF No. 27 alongside local clubs including Kimberley, Banco Provincial, República del Oeste, and Macabi.
Infrastructure Legacy Shapes Youth Sports Agenda
A central feature of this year’s program is the direct integration of venues constructed or upgraded for the international games into provincial sports calendars. Fernando Maletti, the province’s secretary of sports, noted that the initiative aims to provide widespread sports access while allowing young participants to experience the venues prepared for elite athletes.
The program is organized jointly by the Ministry of Equality and Human Development and the Ministry of Education.
Beyond participation, these provincial finals serve as the official qualifying pathway for the Santa Fe delegation heading to the National Games in Mar del Plata during the first days of November. Adrián Alurralde, provincial director of physical education, highlighted the social value of the events as spaces for coexistence and integration, praising the behind-the-scenes work of teachers and coaches.
Upcoming Calendar and Discipline Schedule
El programa provincial continúa con nuevas fechas y disciplinas:
- October 1–2: The third provincial stage features under-14 futsal, under-14 beach volleyball, and under-14 beach handball. Events take place at the Invencible Santa Fe stadium, which previously hosted handball matches during the South American Games.
- October 5–6: The final stage brings together under-14 field hockey, under-14 volleyball, and various adapted sports including goalball, boccia, seated volleyball, and adapted table tennis.
The initial stage of the program took place on August 24–25 with badminton and table tennis competitions, setting the stage for an expanded schedule that transitions international-grade facilities into permanent hubs for youth development across Santa Fe.
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