León sets the standard as a sporting reference point in America

The recognition from ACES América exalts León’s appointment as American Capital of Sport 2023

The American Sport Gathering culminated in the presentation of a recognition by ACES América to the municipality of León for leading the mass activation of more than 2,007,915 people from 13 countries of the American continent.

This mass activation took place in September during what was the American Week of Sport, an initiative that León proposed to the Network of Cities for Sport and Development in Latin America, a recently formed international organisation chaired by the shoemaking city.

The recognition was granted by Gonzalo Cuesta, delegate of the Association of American Capitals of Sport in America, who highlighted the work and example that León has given in driving strategies and public policies in favour of sport and physical activation.

“The result has been positive and there is much left to do, but León has established itself as a reference point for the next American Capitals of Sport, because León believes in sport; this administration works so that citizens can take part in sport and it carries out sports policies not only in speeches but in reality, achieving a better society through sport”, Gonzalo Cuesta stressed.

Of what the American Week of Sport was, it was detailed that more than 200,000 citizens took part in León, while across the American continent 40 cities from 13 countries took part, among them Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

For his part, Isaac Piña Valdivia, director of COMUDE León, stressed that the recognition from ACES América exalts León’s appointment as American Capital of Sport 2023, an award that serves as a means for the consolidation and exchange of strategies in sporting matters.

Among the strategies implemented in León is the investment of 378 million pesos in improvements and rehabilitation of sports infrastructure. In addition, the integration of the population has been promoted through the “Green Pass” (Pase Verde), which keeps parks and sports facilities free of charge at weekends.

Likewise, more than 40 large-format, mass sporting events have been held, such as the FIBA AmeriCup Femenil, as well as the U-21 Women’s Volleyball World Championship, among others.

During the programme of this second day, talks were also held with Marian Otamendi, general director of World Football Summit, as well as Beatriz Guzmán developing the “FIT FOR LIFE, UNESCO Programme”, and the topic “Sport and Equality in Bogotá” given by Martha Carpintero and Diana Carolina Roa.