Santo Domingo, D. N. – Vice President Raquel Peña and Minister of Sports Kelvin Cruz led the inauguration of the Gran Santo Domingo 2026 Inter-Neighborhood Basketball Tournament, sub-20 category, this Tuesday, in an event held at the Tony Barreiro Sports Center of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD).
The contest brings together more than 150 teams from different sectors of the National District and Santo Domingo province, establishing itself as a key platform for the development of basketball, community integration, and the projection of new talents.
During the event, Cruz highlighted the support of President Luis Abinader, which has allowed the rehabilitation of more than 30 sports courts in Greater Santo Domingo, guaranteeing adequate spaces for competition. Likewise, uniforms and equipment were delivered to the participating teams.
As an incentive, the champion team will receive a prize of one million pesos, while the winners of each zone will obtain RD$250 thousand.
The director of the National Police, Andrés Modesto Cruz Cruz, assured that the tournament will have a security device in all venues to guarantee order during the development of the matches.
Format and scope
In the National District, 48 teams organized into groups will compete under a progressive system that will define the champions of six zones, who will advance to elimination rounds until the grand final. The authorities warned that any team that incurs disciplinary offenses may continue in the tournament, but will lose the right to economic prizes.
The event gains relevance by being held in the context of the Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, serving as a basis for the preparation of future national teams.
Dedicated to Federico Lalane José
The 2026 edition is dedicated to Federico Lalane José, in recognition of his career in sports and public administration. During the ceremony, he received a special tribute for his contributions to basketball, including his management of the Dominican Basketball Federation and his participation in international organizations.
Tribute and show
A minute of silence was also observed at the event in memory of Danna Sofía Uribe, daughter of the president of Fedombal, Rafael Uribe.
The opening day included an artistic segment with the participation of El Lápiz Conciente and Chimbala, who energized the hundreds of young people present.
The event was also attended by Garibaldi Bautista, Luis Mejía Oviedo, as well as municipal and legislative authorities.
