Minister of Sports and Recreation Kelvin Cruz announced on Wednesday, 14 January the 2026 athletic calendar, highlighted by the official return of the Semana Santa (Easter) Games. The initiative serves as a strategic cornerstone in the country’s preparation for the upcoming Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games (24 July to 8 August).
Speaking to a specialized assembly of sports journalists from Santo Domingo, Santiago, and San Francisco de Macorís, Cruz outlined a vision where local competition fuels international success.
The Minister emphasized that the 2026 schedule is designed to create a “country brand” atmosphere ahead of the regional summer games. The roadmap includes:
• Semana Santa Games: A revival of the traditional spring competitions to engage local talent.
• University & Border Province Games: Integrative university tournaments and the “Border Games” scheduled for August to ensure nationwide participation.
• Coastal integration: Continued recreational events across major tourist hubs to promote sports tourism.
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El Nuevo Diario
15 January 2026