(ANS - Santo Domingo) - More than 3,000 athletes celebrated the 2015 Don Bosco Sports Festival at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Centre in Santo Domingo and the Domingo Savio Oratory and Youth Centre in La Vega on 5 and 6 June, to commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco.

During the opening ceremony, the Provincial of the Antilles, Fr Francisco Batista, reminded the young people of the history of the Sports Festival and the commitment that was needed to make it better. He also said that, because of the opposition of some people, the Festival did not receive the necessary cooperation, but he said that the Salesians took on the task of celebrating the games.

On the Friday, the Salesian Centres of Santo Domingo and Barahona competed in seven different disciplines at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Centre and in the ping pong hall at Parque Este. The following day six races were held in the Domingo Savio Oratory and Youth Centre in La Vega, organized by the young people from the Cibao area who attend the Oratory.

Fr Enrique Castillo, Delegate for Youth Ministry and chairman of the organizing committee, spoke of the great importance that sport and games have for the Salesians. Don Bosco himself accomplished his mission by gathering the children and young people in large recreational areas for sports, aware that these healthy activities detoxify the soul.

The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, during his brief visit to the country in March, sent a message to the athletes in which he said, "The games are really a manifestation, not of power, nor of strength, but of Salesian life and joy, and an invitation to all young people, so that, wherever Don Bosco is, all young people may find the doors open."

Published 10/05/2015