Baja California Governor attends opening of NORCECA Congress

TIJUANA, Mexico, November 2, 2013 – The new Governor of Baja California Francisco Vega de Lamadrid was the special guest at the XXII NORCECA Continental Congress that was officially opened by FIVB President Dr. Ary Graça on Saturday.

Governor Vega de Lamadrid was greeted at the Grand Hotel Tijuana by FIVB President Ary Graça and NORCECA President and FIVB First Executive Vice President Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, as well as Baja California Sports and Physical Culture Institute Director, Saul Castro Verdugo.

Vega de Lamadrid was accompanied by national official sports authorities as Mexican Olympic Committee President Carlos Padilla Becerra and Othon Diaz, who had the representation of the National Sports Commission Director, Jesus Mena.

In the first public event for Vega de Lamadrid, who inaugurated his six-year term on Friday, he also received the official document that certifies the Baja California High Performance Center and Facilities as a Volleyball Development Center.

“It is a great motivation that in my first day in office I am attending this event, related with sport and I really appreciate that”, the Governor said. “Sports is a public good, it promotes physical and mental health and also multiplies spiritual and social development.”

“In my program I plan to continue supporting the sport and to include sport facilities in all the schools of the state,” Vega de Lamadrid said.

“Finally I want to congratulate all of you for this event and Baja California always receives you with open arms.”

Also present in the opening ceremony the Baja California Education Minister Rosario Rodriguez Rubio; State Legislature Youth and Sports Commission President, Miriam Ayon, and Tijuana Municipal Sports Director, Yolanda García, who attended in representation of the Tijuana Mayor Carlos Bustamante.

On behalf of the Mexican Volleyball Federation, President Jesus Perales, appreciated the support of the State Government and the Baja California Sports and Physical Culture Institute for hosting this event, while Othon Diaz remarked that “is a of great pride to receive all the nations as our brothers and volleyball is one of the most important sports played all over the world.”

Padilla Becerra expressed that “the development of volleyball is very important for the Olympic movement.”

“Volleyball is one of the top sports in the Olympic movement and we are sure that unity and hard work will help us to achieve our goals,” Padilla said.

The congress was inaugurated by President Graça, who talked about the gender equity for men and women and remarked the good impression he felt when visited the High Performance Center a few days ago and also talked about the importance of the importance of offering more opportunities to the women.

Finally, NORCECA President and FIVB First Executive Vice President, Cristobal Marte Hoffiz remarked that once again Mexico and the State of Baja California are always present to support youth and sports in the Americas through the NORCECA Confederation.”