The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation announced this February 28 that Cuba will attend the VI World Baseball Classic.
In line with the efforts that have supported the preparation, the dedication of the players and the staff in general, and the commitment made to the organizers, Cuba will exercise its right to participate in the VI World Baseball Classic.
We reiterate the discriminatory and politicized nature of the decision to deny visas to eight members of our delegation—a move foreign to the essence of sport—but we will not withdraw from an event of which we have been a part since its founding edition.
As previously stated, each of the arbitrarily excluded members of the delegation was meant to fulfill duties established by the organizers for all invited countries. These duties must now be redistributed among the few officials we will have available—including members of the technical staff—placing our team at an evident operational and competitive disadvantage.
Even so, and despite other difficulties also associated with United States regulations, the will to compete and to do so with dignity has prevailed. We are aware of what it means to earn the applause of those who follow us both inside and outside the Island, and we are inspired by the many beautiful chapters that distinguish our national sport.
We appreciate the contribution of everyone, especially the athletes and coaches who will soon travel to Arizona to finalize their preparation—protagonists of a labor characterized by commitment to their Homeland above any individual aspiration.
With that spirit, we shall take on the VI World Baseball Classic!