Just this past August 21st the Costa Rica Sports Institute (ICODER) announced it had made the highest investment in the different sports disciplines in comparison with past administrations with close to US$32 million since 2014.

The same press release confirms efforts have been made to strengthen different programs and the disbursement system was also modified to ensure a better distribution of funds to the different sports associations and federations and to increase the number of athletes that receive scholarships and monetary assistance.

However, the local news website AmeliaRueda.com reported today that Costa Rica will not be participating in the next four editions (including the one taking place this week in Honduras) of the Central American Student Games (CODICADER), because the country received a suspension.

Costa Rica was supposed to organize the Central American student games 2017 and 2018, however, they renounced this possibility (which is valid) but presented the letter informing of their decision after the given term. Due to this, and according to regulation, the suspension is of four years.

According to ICODER, the decision of not hosting and organizing the event was made by the National Sports Council due to “financial reasons and to revise the existing model and prepare the athletes”.

The Central America Student Youth Games took place in Honduras this August 21 – 25th, it has the participation of six countries (five without Costa Rica) and this year had a total of 1,091 athletes in group ages from 6-17 years-old, in disciplines such as chess, athletics, basketball, baseball, soccer, judo, karate, swimming, Taekwondo, volleyball, among others.

The importance of participating in these events is that it gives young athletes the possibility to compete internationally and gain experience and confidence.