Mayagüez 2010 Games

With the vuvuzelas buzzing in the background, I'm watching the U.S vs. Algeria World Cup soccer game as I'm blogging. Although I already know who won this exciting match, I can't help but feel engrossed. I have soccer (or fútbol) fever! This summer is indeed a great time for sports fanatics. While most of the world's attention, including mine, is currently focused on the World Cup, another quadrennial sporting event will soon be taking place. I am referring to the XXI Central American and Caribbean Games, which is the longest running regional sporting event in the world and is superseded only by the Olympic Games. This will be the third occasion in which Puerto Rico will be hosting the games. It will be held in Mayagüez from July 17th through August 1st.

Back in late 2008 and early 2009, there was a lot of speculation as to whether the island would be able to host the games at all, as the Olympic Committee of Puerto Rico warned there were insufficient funds to finance this event. However, as the games are seen as a good opportunity to help give the Puerto Rican economy a boost and promote tourism, the government fought hard to ensure that the games would remain on the island. Cuba, which has won the most medals in the history of the Caribbean and Central American Games, will not be participating in this edition. However, there will be 27 other countries present to compete in a whole variety of sports, ranging from basketball to badminton. Some of the tickets to these events will be raffled out. For those of you who are interested in attending some of these games, please visit Ticket Center or the XXI Central American and Caribbean Games' official Web site.

(Image obtained from www.mayaguez2010.com)