Gonzalez Magico Stadium continues its renovation at an excellent pace. Author: Caribbean Sports Center

El Salvador is not exactly an inexperienced country when it comes to hosting multi-sport events, even more so if we are talking about the oldest sporting competitions that exist on our continent: the Central American and Caribbean Games.

And the fact is that its capital, San Salvador, is already aware of the pressures and problems when it comes to organizing an event of such importance, since it touched it not once, but a couple of times, this responsibility, and as if it was not enough , it’s on its way to its third foray.

For the first time, the Games were called Central American, they were hosted by the Salvadoran city, which also coincided with his debut as the host of the battle. In this regard, the tournament was released from March 16 to April 5 of the distant 1935.

The one that was 3rd. the release of the Games, was on the verge of failure, as a severe storm prevented the fight in 1934 from being held as it should have been; but El Salvador did not give up and instead requested a one-year extension, thus changing the multi-sport event’s four-year cycle.

In said designation, the number of athletes increased to 741, and the number of sports also increased to include golf, horseback riding, boxing, and wrestling.

San Salvador once again hosted a similar event in 2002, notably the 19th edition of the Games, an event that ran from 19 to 30 November of that year.

“Magic” stadium

According to data recently provided by the 24th Organizing Committee, with the assistance of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), an investment of about $115.2 million. The Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador 2023 (COSSAN) involve the renovation of, among other things, the Jorge “El Magico” González National Stadium, the park where the fair will open and close.

The facility, which will host sports such as athletics, currently has a fairly significant progress in operation: 50 percent in the financial part and 40 percent in terms of infrastructure or executive work, in accordance with what is indicated by those responsible for organizing the tournament.

The Jorge “Majico” González Stadium, once known as Flor Blanca, is El Salvador’s Olympic Coliseum. The Central American and Caribbean Games were played on its grass in 1935 and 2002, and the Central American Games in 1977 and 1994.

It is the second largest stadium in the country and the fifth largest in the entire Central Caribbean region. Currently, it hosts football matches, both in the major leagues and in other categories, it also hosts the second division, student games and athletics competitions at both the national and international levels.

In 2002, as part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of its construction and the regional festival of the same year, the most important reconstruction in its history was completed. Its original capacity has been doubled, it has been completely modernized, 20,000 seats have been installed for the greater comfort of spectators, and a new tartan track has been added, which today is considered the most modern and functional in Central America and
where the most relevant athletics competitions of the isthmus were held.

Four years after a major renovation, the government of then-president Elias Antonio Saca decided to change its name to Jorge “Majico” González National Stadium, in honor of the country’s most emblematic football player.

For this new fair, “El Mágico” will have excellent quality grass from the Bermuda brand, drainage, lighting and a first-class athletics track. In addition, new seats will appear throughout the stage.

Good medical plan and better volunteering

The process of participating in the volunteer program on the 24th. The Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador 2023 are already underway. Dozens of University of El Salvador (UES) students from various professions have expressed interest in participating, according to brawl organizers.

COSSAN called on the entire university community to explain the process of volunteering at the Games and to encourage young people to participate in the event.

As you know, the EEC has registered about 1,300 people from among students and teachers to participate in the volunteer team.

To date, 5,456 volunteers have been registered in the program thanks to the contributions of private universities, the National Institute of Youth (INJUVE) and the Municipal Institute of Sports and Recreation of San Salvador (IMDER), who are trained in four training modules. It is expected that every month their number will increase.

More than 5,400 volunteers have already confirmed their presence at the Salvadoran event. Photos: Caribbean Sports Center

This is an experience that is repeated by the country’s university community, as it was already called out in the 2002 version.

On the other hand, representatives of COSSAN and members of the Centro Caribe Sports Medical Commission provided the entire medical plan for the Games in great detail; and an anti-doping plan including care and emergencies.

Among the aspects analyzed are environmental protection, food, fumigation, solid waste and issues related to prevention and health care during the Games; something that, if carried out, will leave a very important legacy both for the Central American and Caribbean Games and for the people of El Salvador and the region.

The motto: “It’s time to transcend” and the logo, which highlights seven stars forming a circle, represent the constant movement, evolution and transformation process that El Salvador is experiencing; In addition to the harmony, prosperity and glory of a country that stakes on progress, hope and courage, the Central Caribbean competition, we only need to know the mascot and its official song, a mystery that will remain until next March 23, the date set for to tell you what these basic symbols will be.

Source: Juventud Rebelde