One of the most-anticipated decisions for all of the National Olympic Committees, International Federations, Pan American Confederations and of course young athletes of the Americas has finally been confirmed by the Government of President Ivan Duque: the city of Cali, Colombia will organize the first Junior Pan American Games of Cali-Valle 2021.
The news was delivered by Colombia’s Minister of Sport Ernesto Lucerna Barrero to Panam Sports President Neven Ilic during the Virtual Meeting of the Organizing Committee of the Cali-Valle 2021 Junior Pan American Games. Among the attendees were Colombian Olympic Committee President Baltazar Medina, former Valle del Cauca Governor Dillian Francisca Toro, representatives of the Valle del Cauca Government, the Mayor of Cali and the Executive Director of Cali 2021, Jose Luis Echeverry.
The confirmation is a milestone for Panam Sports and the entire Pan American Family as a unique opportunity for the next generation of athletes and for the advancement of sports development throughout the entire American continent. Additionally, Cali 2021 marks the first continental event in history dedicated and designed for young athletes between the ages of 14 and 22.
Additionally, the official dates of the event were confirmed for September 9th to 19th, 2021.
“With the postponement of the Dakar 2022 Youth Olympic Games, the Cali 2021 will be the most important and massive sporting event in the world for young people in the coming years. I am sure it will be a spectacular sports festival that will serve as a launching point for our next generation of athletes and that Cali and the Colombians, as always, will be fantastic hosts,” said Panam Sports President Neven Ilic.
“I want to sincerely thank the Colombian Government, President Duque, Minister Lucerna, Valle del Cauca Governor Clara Luz Roldan, Mayor of Cali Ivan Ospina and the Colombian Olympic Committee for trusting us as an organization, and for the commitment and passion they have shown to youth and sport throughout the continent,” Ilic added.
“The National Government affirms the resources and commitments that are required for the Junior Pan American Games in Cali. We know the importance of these Games post-pandemic to help reactivate the economy and for the youth of Colombia and all of the Americas. We are working very hard to make these Games as great as we have all dreamed them to be. We want Games of the highest quality, and prestige, but as always the focus of everything is the region, for Colombia and for the athletes who are going to visit us”, said Colombian Sports Minister Ernesto Lucerna Barrero.
The first Junior Pan American Games of Cali 2021 will feature 3,500 athletes from the 41 member nations of Panam Sports competing in a total of 27 sports, including: Aquatics (Diving, Swimming and Artistic Swimming), Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3x3, Bowling, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling (BMX, Mountain, Road and Track), Fencing, Gymnastics (Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampoline), Handball, Judo, Karate, Modern Pentathlon, Roller Sports (Artistic, Speed and Skateboarding), Rowing, Sailing, Shooting Sport (Pistol and Rifle), Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball (Beach and Indoor), Weightlifting and Wrestling (Freestyle and Greco-Roman).
In order to ensure the best young talent throughout the region participates in these historic Games, Panam Sports is offering qualification to the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games to the gold medalists in every individual sport.
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