After the analysis and recommendations of the Ministries of Health and of Economy and Finance, the National Government confirmed the formal decline of Panama as the venue for the XXIV Central American and Caribbean Sports Games 2022.

“We have to make these decisions to save lives in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, witness to its social and economic effects,” declared the Vice Minister of the Presidency, Carlos García Molino.

At a meeting in the Presidency of the Republic, led by Vice Minister García Molino, with the participation of the Director General of the Panamanian Institute of Sports (Pandeportes), Eduardo Cerda Quintero, the Vice Minister of Economy and Finance, Jorge Almengor, and HD Héctor Brands, The president of the Education, Culture and Sports Commission of the National Assembly was informed to Henry Pozo and Camilo Amado, the presidents of the Organizing Committee Panama 2022 and the Olympic Committee of Panama, respectively, the reasons that prevent both sporting events.

The meeting will also be attended by the Technical Director of Pandeportes and a member of the COPAN Board of Directors, Irving Saladino, and the Director of the Coordinating Unit of Public Infrastructure, Engineer Inés Samudio.

“Our projection of resources for the next fiscal years determine to assume with responsibility and prudence that the realization, by our country, of the regional fair allusions is not feasible, emphasized Vice Minister García Molino.

The authorities also highlighted that they will seek to strengthen Pandeportes as well as institutional structures and support athletes in aspects such as training, resources and planning for their sports commitments.

“We urge our athletes to be confident that together we will achieve the goal of raising the country’s number, in the hope that better days will soon come for our country and national sport,” emphasizing the Vice Minister of the Presidency.

 Source: Pandeporte