|  | Current Issues | No.59 May 2010 |

A Special Trip to Cuba - An Educational Exploration of Sport and Physical Activity in Cuba
Alex Stevens

The Cuba Trip ran for its third consecutive year in February 2010 and the resounding word from the undergraduate and graduate students who had the privilege to participate, was “an unforgettably good experience”. Darwin Semotiuk’s course, “An Educational Exploration of Sport and Physical Activity in Cuba” offers this travelling experience, however the programme would not be possible without the great support of The University of Western Ontario’s, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology, and The International Curriculum Fund.
Despite Cuba’s continuing economic hardship, its status as a world leader in sport and physical education persists. The purpose of the trip was to investigate this phenomenon. Once in Cuba, we met with a group of experts from The National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER). The secret behind INDER’s success is “Mass Participation”, and interdependence between community recreation, education and high performance sport. INDER provides equal opportunity for all Cuban citizens to pursue sport and physical activity. All programming is funded by the Cuban government and is strongly encouraged.
But seeing is believing and our first visit to Pedro Murillo Primary School vividly demonstrated what was to come. Informal games were the focus of a physical education session, and we students had the opportunity to join in. Rules and regulations were kept to a minimum, good sportsmanship was encouraged, and play continued uninterrupted for the whole two hour session. All students participated and there was no shortage of hustle. Although we kept up with the play, when we got on the bus to leave, we were exhausted.
Next was a school for children with either hearing or cognitive impairments. No one is left behind in Cuba and the country works hard to accommodate disability. Havana’s municipal floor hockey team was luckily in training when we arrived. Their training facilities and equipment were an old classroom, broom handles, sidewalk chalk to mark boundaries and a homemade ring. What the team lacked in physical resources, it made up for in good coaching, skill and determination. The Canadians were no match for the Cubans and we were summarily defeated in an impromptu exhibition game.
Ho Chi Minh Community Park was our first stop on day two of the trip. A collection of Havana’s senior citizens had congregated for a morning of light exercise, tai chi chuan and Latin dance. Cuba takes care of its senior’s and INDER provides ample opportunity for participation in daily recreation. The programs are popular and the park was full that morning. A session of dance, accompanied by some upbeat Cuban music was particularly enjoyable for us students.
Our next stop was the site of the ‘91 Pan Am Games. Although special for all of us, this experience was particularly relevant to one of the athletes of the group. Tim Konoval, a Canadian National Team middle distance runner was later that day invited back to the track to participate in an inter-squad meet. Tim was genuinely surprised with how little this world-class track team had, in terms of equipment and facilities. It reinforced in his mind how passion, commitment and determination drives an individual to succeed in their sport.
Last stop of day two was The International School of Physical Education and Sport. This is a government funded school which is helping to develop sport systems in lesser developed nations. Venezuela, Mexico, Central America, parts of Asia and Africa send students to learn from Cuba’s leading sport and physical education experts. Cuba’s hope is that these young individuals will return to their respective countries to help develop sport in their home cities and towns. It is a testament to Cuba’s educational services that other nations of the world look to their example as a foundation of sport training to be emulated for the advancement of athleticism. Our group was struck by the fact that Cuba has earned international recognition in the field of sport to the point where it substitutes for trade in hard goods.
Our final day was spent visiting Cuba’s high performance and development centres for gymnastics and volleyball. Although both schools were very impressive, the gymnastics centre was truly amazing. Over 200 athletes live, train and receive regular schooling while at the centre. Talent is spotted early in the primary schools and at the age of nine, children begin extensive training. It was remarkable what these kids are capable of. The level of athleticism and discipline displayed by such young people was impressive and it was a privilege to witness such talent.
A “National Series” baseball game was the climax of the trip. Havana’s “Industriales” took on the “Roosters”, from Sancti Spiritus Gallos, a nearby Cuban province. It was Thursday afternoon and the stadium was near full. I equate the spirit of the Cuban spectator to the Romans, who swarmed the Coloseum to watch the gladiators do battle. Very cool!
A secondary function of our trip was the delivery of aid, and before our departure, we put together a large donation package to disperse amongst each of the sites. In the end, the contents of 24 full Mustang’s football travelling bags, with a combined weight of over 700 kg, were gifted to some very appreciative Cuban teachers, coaches, volunteers and students. The donations included baseball equipment and uniforms, swimming goggles, running shoes, City of London t-shirts, Fox 40 whistles, personal care items and school supplies.
In closing, we would like to thank Darwin and all others mentioned for providing this exceptionally worthwhile opportunity. This was a profoundly educational experience for our group of 19 students, and without a doubt, we will remember and cherish forever our time spent together in Cuba.
The first picture shows Dr. Darwin Semotiuk of Western with a group of students who attend a Havana primary school. The picture with the group of students in a circle includes Western students Chelsey Peatling and Mackenzie Russel at the same Havana primary school. The final picture was taken at Ho Chi Minh Park, also in Havana. It includes a group of Cuban participants who meet daily to partake in organised physical activity sessions.

Contact
Alexander Stevens
University of Western Ontario
Ontario, Canada
Email: asteven8@uwo.ca

http://www.icsspe.org/