Dili, 17th june 2023. Next, speech by the Cuban ambassador in Timor Leste Alina Aldama, on the occasion of the III Festival from Cayman to Cayman...
Good morning to:
Members of the Timorese government,
Faculty of the National University,
Accredited Diplomatic Corps,
Country Media,
Cuban collaborators serving in the country,
Special greetings to the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports; to the United Nations Resident Coordinator; to the Minister of Health; to the Rector Magnificent of the National University and to the Chief of the National Police.
As well as to the children, youth, adults and grandparents who accompany us.
It is a great pleasure to have the participation of all those present in this III Sports-Recreational Festival of "Cayman to Cayman", an idea developed by the Secretariat of Youth and Sports together with the Cuban Embassy, which have always had the support of the offices of the United Nations, the Police and the National University. To all of them many thanks, because today's event is the result of joining forces for a common goal.
The fact that Timor Leste and Cuba are two islands with a similar geographical shape to a Cayman, although they are located in different latitudes of the world, also unites us in the desire to offer welfare and development to our population. In this sense, we support with our collaboration TO THE ADVANCE of the fulfillment of the development objectives outlined by the country to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda.
We have all understood the importance of practicing sports and the positive effect it has on improving the health of children, young people, adults, the elderly, in other words, the population, of which we are a part, together with our families.
THAT IS WHY we consider it important to share with you the work being done by Cuban sports teachers and doctors in the country. All of which is established thanks to the cooperation and the interest that THE AUTHORITIES HAVE IN THE bilateral relations between the governments of Cuba and Timor Leste.
Today we must remember that Cuba was the second country to recognize the nascent Timorese nation, so we also celebrate a day of congratulations for its 21 years of restoration of its independence, 21 years of establishment of relations between the two countries, and the results of the recent parliamentary elections.
WE TAKE THE TIME TO CELEBRATE A date of brotherhood between Timorese and Cubans: the 95th anniversary of the birth of Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, better known as Che Guevara.
Che was an Argentine-Cuban citizen, who became known as a revolutionary, internationalist, politician, military man, journalist, writer, and heroic guerrilla, because of his revolutionary thinking he joined the armed struggle in the mountains of the Sierra Maestra.
He was a man of profound ideas, but also a man of action, who not only fought for the freedom of the Cuban people, but also fought for the independence of other peoples of America and other latitudes, which is why he deserved immense affection and respect.
Likewise, Che was a source of inspiration and teaching for the nation of Timor Leste, when its leaders identified with his thinking, strategy of struggle, sense of belonging, sacrifice for his ideals, willingness to fight the enemy, which allowed them to obtain victory thanks to the intelligence, tenacity, resistance, dignity of defending a just cause, for the true rights of this people.
On the other hand, it is important to highlight that Che graduated as a doctor and practiced sports. A MOTORCYCLE RIDING LOVER HIS RIDE THROUGH LATIN AMERICA ON THE "PODEROSA", AS HE CALLED HIS MOTORCYCLE, HAS BEEN ALCINE AND HE WAS ALSO AN OUTSTANDING CHESS PLAYER. Knowledge that helped him develop capacities of will and endurance, which we have tried to honor with the participation of Cuban health collaborators and sports teachers who offer their services in the country.
We wanted to share with you the initiative of the Cuban Medical Brigade to capture in 14 infographics, the spontaneous interpretation of the Timorese talent of Che's face, in natural murals throughout the country, in the microlets, and on the skin of a medical student.
We still have the imprint of Che as a warrior who sought to propagate the revolutionary struggle and create, in several Viet Nams, his example as a man who was faithful to his actions to the last consequences, as well as his political and ideological legacy with full force for the world.
We want this event to become a show of support for the promotion of the need to systematically practice physical activity and community sports, as an alternative to improve the health indicators of the Timorese.
We have started with a March for Life from the Cuban Embassy to the Secretariat of Youth and Sports, as a symbol of the journey to the historical friendship that exists between both nations, where we all get involved, in an inclusive and healthy environment.
Next, we will see how the grandparents of Becora's Physical Activity and Health project have evolved and improved, who every day achieve a healthy aging. Then we will enjoy the artistic composition of the students of the National University of Timor Lorosae, and demonstrations of participation games and sports competitions.
Finally, we would like to conclude our intervention with a thought of Che Guevara himself which is that "The true revolutionary is guided, by great feelings of love", to which I would add that Cuba does not offer what it has to spare, but shares what it has, and that is why we will continue to support our Timorese brothers, where sport and health, go together hand in hand; because "Sport, is health".
Thank you very much.
Embassy of Cuba in Timor Leste