CHIHUAHUA (MEXICO) AMERICAN CAPITAL OF SPORT 2025

The Municipal Government, through the Municipal Institute of Physical Culture and Sport, has obtained the “American Capital of Sport 2025” certification, a distinction that will provide opportunities for collaborations at international level for the organisation, operation and positioning of events and public policies on sporting matters.

As part of the work to obtain the international certification, the city of Chihuahua underwent an evaluation based on objective criteria established by ACES, an organisation with strategic alliances established with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the American Council of Sport (the network of sport ministers of the Americas) and the Sport and Development Cities Network (D+D Network), as well as with the OEA and the main municipal bodies at world level.

The director of the Municipal Institute of Physical Culture and Sport, Juan José Abdo Fierro, announced that the submission of this candidacy is part of the actions with which the current municipal administration led by mayor Marco Bonilla begins, in order to raise the level of competitiveness that, through sport, strengthens the social fabric and economic development.

Vicenzo Lupattelli, vice-president of ACES, and Gonzalo Cuesta, general coordinator of ACES, announced that part of the evaluation is the submission of a dossier with criteria on sustainable mobility, sport tourism, infrastructure, programmes, access to and inclusion in sport, among others.

Yolanda Sosa, a member of the Evaluation Committee, announced that several of these facilities are aligned with the recommendations on equity and gender equality, as well as protective factors for children, athletes and the entire sporting system.

Also present as part of the ACES evaluation committee were Isaac Piña, president of the D+D Cities Network, who expanded on the benefits that the certification brings to cities, since the city of León was “American Capital of Sport 2023”. Likewise, part of the evaluation committee were Hugo Alonso, secretary general of the non-profit organisation ACES, and Fernando Ortega, director of CODE Jalisco.

Chihuahua Capital's active participation at Latin American level began in 2023, upon receiving the invitation to be part of the “D+D Cities Network”, and in February of this year, mayor Marco Bonilla signed the request letter for the candidacy to compete for the certification.

Likewise, during the visit, more than 14 sporting facilities in the city were inspected, with four municipal sports centres being visited: Deportiva Sur, the Monumental Baseball Stadium, Córner Sport, Club Campestre, Club Independiente, the UACH University Stadium, and this Monday the tour concludes at the Luis H. Álvarez Sports Complex.

On 30 September, the Municipal Institute of Physical Culture and Sport presented a video report on sporting activity and the dossier document, as part of the evaluation criteria.

On 12 December, Chihuahua will receive the commemorative flag in a solemn ceremony at the European Parliament, in the presence of authorities from various bodies, where it will share the limelight with the World Capital of Sport, the Principality of Monaco, and the European Capital of Sport, Tallinn, capital of Estonia.