A significant delay in the construction of several important areas might well cause a further delay in the celebration of the National Sports Games that were scheduled to begin on 9 December. Sources close to the scene have told Hoy that the huge delays by the Public Works ministry are the main reason for this concern. While there may well be a political motivation behind the information, it is clear that several months ago there were several work groups set up, all of which are progressing very well, again, with the exception of the construction that is needed. The newspaper says that Minister of Public Works, Freddy Perez, is the least likely to fulfill his part. The Sports Ministry (SEDEFIR) has carried out the needed eliminations around the country, the National Housing Institute (INVI) is well advanced on the Sports Village that will house the athletes, the Potable Water Institute (INAPA) is nearly ready with the necessary water supplies, and the ceremonial aspects are now at rehearsal stage. However, the streets in Sabana Grande de Boya and Bayaguana, which are due to host part of the games, have not yet begun to be repaired. The bridge that connects the sports stadiums and the city of Monte Plata has not progressed much lately. Highways and other projects are just going too slowly, according to sources. Part of the problem seems to be money. The builders were expecting to receive RD$183 million last week and they got a check for just RD$70 million. There are two very serious opinions as to the games. One of them is that President Leonel Fernandez wants the games to be held in December. Nonetheless, sources in Monte Plata are claiming that a local, high-ranking official told a high-ranking government official that this date was not achievable. And this latter official did not want to take the message to the President and asked the SEDEFIR minister, Jay Payano to tell the President. However, Payano will not do this unless he has solid evidence that the 9 December date cannot be met. Reporter Kennedy Vargas says that this has produced a sort of stalemate, all because the facilities are not yet completed. In straight parlance, Vargas says that a postponement is imminent unless a hurry-up job with poor quality is the option taken.
The National Sports Games in the Dominican Republic have not served to develop sport. With few exceptions, in the past the multimillion investments to build sports installations have benefited only the contractors, moving on to become red elephants at a high cost to Dominican taxpayers. The Dominican Republic has an excess of sports installations where the games could be held, including many of the red elephant installations built for the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo that are grossly underutilized.