La Vega.– The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kelvin Cruz, was recognized with the special dedication of the thirtieth edition of Expo Vega Real 2026 and received the highest distinction awarded by the Chamber of Commerce and Production of La Vega, during a ceremony held within the framework of the fair.
While thanking for the tribute, the official stated that the recognition represents a commitment to continue promoting the development of sports in the Dominican Republic.
Accompanied by his family members, Cruz expressed his surprise and emotion for the distinction, while thanking the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Production of La Vega for the gesture.
“I am deeply grateful, on behalf of my family who accompanies me at this moment, for this high distinction. I did not expect it, but, in addition to the joy, the honor, and the great satisfaction that fill my heart, this recognition represents a commitment to continue working with more effort, more dedication, and, above all, with greater determination for the country and, especially, for my beloved province of La Vega,” he expressed.
Likewise, he highlighted the support of President Luis Abinader and Vice President Raquel Peña in managing the resources allocated to address the needs of the sports sector.
The recognition plaque was presented by Vice President Raquel Peña, Icelsa García, president of Expo Vega Real 2026, and Odil Morilla, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Production of La Vega.
More Read
Also participating in the delivery were the provincial governor, Luisa Jiménez de De La Mota; the mayor, Amparo Custodio; and Hugo Concepción, a member of the board of directors of the organizing entity.
We recommend reading:
During his speech, Cruz highlighted the main achievements of his tenure at the head of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation (Miderec), including the actions derived from the “Ministry of Sports with Open Doors” program, an initiative that allowed for the identification of the needs of sports leaders and athletes throughout the country.
More Read
He explained that his management is based on four strategic pillars, placing the athlete as the central axis of sports policies.
Among the advances, he mentioned the doubling of financial incentives for high-performance athletes, the strengthening of national events such as the Women’s Games and the Holy Week Recreational Games, as well as continued support for local and superior basketball, soccer, volleyball, and softball tournaments throughout the national territory.
The minister also recalled the sports facilities built and rehabilitated in the province of La Vega, and presented the design of the future Fernando Teruel Arena, a modern facility with a capacity for more than 4,000 spectators.
Within the framework of Expo Vega Real 2026, the Ministry of Sports installed an interactive booth set up like a soccer field, with synthetic grass and regulation lines.
As part of the activities, the children’s team “Un Paso Más” held an exhibition that captured the attention of the attendees. The Miderec space also includes a replica of a basketball court and recreational areas for the public.
