CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BW SportsWire via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--May 14, 2002--The WAAC, with representatives in Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba, Panama, Italy, Costa Rica, Japan, and now the U.S., was created to foster sportsmanship and good will through amateur athletics. USA-CUBA will represent this international organization in developing athletic competitions whereby U.S. teams can both host and travel to international events.
''I am very pleased to be associated with the World Amateur Athletic Congress,'' reports Bob Weinstein, president of USA-CUBA. ''As the largest organizer of amateur athletic exchanges between the U.S. and the Republic of Cuba, we welcome this new relationship, which allows us to operate in a more efficient manner in arranging people-to-people programs and travel to Cuba and other countries.''
During the past several years, USA-CUBA has legally brought teams in several different sports to Cuba. USA-CUBA sponsored sports events include at least all of the following competitions: baseball, fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball, golf, tennis, surfing, track and field, swimming, indoor and beach volleyball, cycling, cart racing, basketball and various racketball sports. In 2001 more than a dozen USA youth baseball and softball teams have enjoyed friendly games with Cuban youth in Havana and other Cuban cities under the umbrella of USA-CUBA.
In 1999, USA-CUBA was also responsible for arranging the donation and transport of baseball equipment sent to Cuba for use by the Cuban National Team in its celebrated series with the major league Baltimore Orioles. Weinstein`s company has also regularly conducted extensive athletic clinics in Havana in collaboration with Cuban athletic officials.
As part of its service to those interested in legal people-to-people exchanges with Cuba, USA-CUBA also works with U.S. academic and cultural/artistic groups to assist with appropriate OFAC licensing for research travel, academic conferences, artistic exhibitions and workshops, and other cultural events hosted in Cuba.
''Not only does this new arrangement enhance our legal programs with Cuba, but it now also lets us expand into events in other countries under a banner of good will and international sportsmanship,'' states Peter Bjarkman, USA-CUBA Vice President for Media Relations. ''The cultural benefit of U.S. teams traveling to Cuba and other countries and thus interfacing with foreign athletes allows us to show Americans in their best light.''
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