Colombia to Host Regional School Games

Colombia has confirmed its position as the host of two major international sporting events during the 17th General Assembly of the Central American and Caribbean Sports Council (Concecade), being held in Washington D.C. since April 25. The country was unanimously chosen as the host of the Seventh Central American and Caribbean School Games for 2025. Simultaneously, the city of Bucaramanga was confirmed as the epicenter of the 28th South American School Games for the present year.

Bucaramanga hosts the 2024 South American School Games

The announcement of these two sporting events took place within the framework of the American Sports Summit, held this week in the capital of the United States. Minister of Sports Luz Cristina Lopez first announced Bucaramanga as the venue for the South American School Games, whose hosting rights were granted to Colombia in November 2023 during an assembly held in Santiago de Chile.

For the event, Colombian cities such as Ibague and Santa Marta were nominated as potential hosts. The committee conducted technical evaluations regarding sports infrastructure, accommodation, transportation, catering, medical services, sanitation, security, technological resources, and environmental management, ultimately selecting the capital of the Santander department as the chosen host city.

The sporting event will bring together at least 2,640 athletes aged between 12 and 14 from 12 countries in the region: Argentina, Bolivia, Bonaire, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Colombia. The event will feature competitions in nine sports including athletics, volleyball, futsal, and swimming. Some of Bucaramanga’s sports venues include the Luis Enrique Figueroa Rey Athletics Stadium, certified by World Athletics, and the Bicentenario Alejandro Galvis Ramirez Coliseum, internationally recognized by FIBA, FIFA, and FIVB.

Colombia hosts the 2025 Central American and Caribbean School Game

Additionally, during the event held in Washington D.C., Colombia was selected by the 24 participating countries as the host of the 2025 Central American and Caribbean School Games. Numerous representatives from countries such as Panama, Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela voted in favor.

During the event, the Minister stated, “We have the possibility to combine financial efforts to host an event of this magnitude in 2025. Our country has the organizational capacity to develop this multi-sport event.”

Moreover, Colombia underscored the significance of these games, which have been held since 2007, in revitalizing school sports. Discussions also ensued regarding the potential development of paralympic sports, reflecting a keen interest in expanding inclusivity within the sporting community. The multi-sport event, held every two years, is scheduled to take place in Colombia in November and December. The cities that will host the event will undergo the respective selection process.