Centro Caribe Sports Celebrates Its Centennial with a Gala Honoring a Century of History and Sporting Legacy

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Centro Caribe Sports celebrated its Centennial Gala, bringing together government authorities, sports leaders, and distinguished figures from across the region to honor the legacy of an organization that, for a century, has fostered integration, friendship, and solidarity among the nations of Central America and the Caribbean through sport.

President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to hosting the Games and to developing sports facilities that will continue serving the population long after the event concludes.

“Sport can be compared to education or even to healthcare. Sport is also health, and it is also education,” President Abinader stated, emphasizing that the Dominican Republic has dedicated “all our affection, all our effort, and all our passion” to welcoming the participating athletes and delegations.

President Abinader also highlighted the Dominican people’s hospitality and the pride of welcoming representatives from 37 nations and territories.

“We are proud, honored, and delighted to host all these athletes,” he said, while thanking the Santo Domingo 2026 Organizing Committee and its president, José Monegro, for their work in making the event possible.

During the gala, Centro Caribe Sports President Luis Mejía Oviedo reflected on the significance of commemorating one hundred years of the organization and recognizing those who made its remarkable journey possible.

“The privilege of celebrating a century of our organization’s existence” represents an opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women who paved the way for regional sport, Mejía said, before inviting the members of the organization’s Executive Committee to join him on stage as part of this historic celebration.

José Monegro, President of the Santo Domingo 2026 Organizing Committee, highlighted the spirit of unity and peace that defines the region.

“Here in Santo Domingo, 37 nations and territories come together to celebrate and to applaud,” he said.

Monegro added that the region possesses “the greatest medal of all, the one that is the most difficult to earn,” referring to Central America and the Caribbean as “the most peaceful region in the world.” He welcomed all participants by stating, “You are our friends; you are our brothers and sisters.”

As part of the Centennial celebration, Centro Caribe Sports presented medals and awards to distinguished personalities from the sporting world, including Dr. José Joaquín Puello. National Olympic Committees also received recognitions honoring their outstanding female and male athletes.

The gala additionally paid tribute to legendary figures such as Alberto Juantorena, regarded as one of Cuba’s greatest athletes of the century; Javier Sotomayor; María Caridad Colón, Olympic champion and member of the International Olympic Committee; and Mireya Ríos, an outstanding volleyball athlete.

The ceremony also honored the countries that have hosted the Central American and Caribbean Games, beginning with Mexico, the nation that leads the all-time medal table, followed by Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Venezuela, Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, which has hosted the Games on three occasions.

The Centennial Gala of Centro Caribe Sports ultimately became a tribute to history, its protagonists, and the enduring legacy of an organization that continues to use sport as a powerful instrument of unity, friendship, and solidarity among the peoples of the region.