Sergio Pérez of Sancti Spiritus became the island’s new FIFA champion. Author: Calixto N. Llanes

Last Saturday, Sports City hosted the largest virtual football tournament in Cuba, the FIFA 23 Coliseum, a match that functioned as a national qualifier for the 1st Pan American Esports Championship, Chile 2023.

In total, 128 players of the popular sports simulation video game gathered at the capital’s facility, who were encouraged by the large number of enthusiasts who visited the Colosseum, eager to know the name of the football joystick monarch.

After a long day of eight rounds of direct elimination, the crown went to Sancti Spiritus’ Sergio Pérez, who beat Havana’s Lázaro Rojas 3-0 in the grand final. Third place went to Ronald Torres, also from the capital.

This event, which was an absolute success in terms of organization and participation of both participants and the public, was made possible thanks to the increasingly visible links between the Cuban Electronic Sports Association (ADEN), the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder) and the Union of Informatics Cuba (UIC).

During the opening of the competition, the kickoff was led by Vice Presidents Raul Fornes Valenciano of Inder and Alexis Trista of ADEC, who were also accompanied by their UIC colleague Omar Correa.

After this tournament, ADEC and Inder will organize new competitions to select the island’s representatives to participate in the founding event of the American electronic sports event, which will coincide with the Pan American Games from October 20 to 5. November in the main Chilean city.

Source: Juventud Rebelde