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Maita Mercedes Minibasket Classic to Honor Alberto Rodríguez in Fourth Edition
Twenty youth basketball clubs from Santo Domingo Este will compete in the fourth Maita Mercedes Minibasket Classic, a tournament dedicated this year to Alberto Rodríguez in recognition of his support for youth and school sports in the Dominican Republic.
The Fourth Maita Mercedes Minibasket Classic is set to begin on Wednesday, August 5 in Santo Domingo Este, bringing together 20 basketball clubs and hundreds of young participants in one of the municipality’s leading youth sporting events.
The tournament has been dedicated to Alberto Rodríguez, executive director of the National Institute of Physical Education (INEFI), in recognition of his support for school and community sports programs and his efforts to promote children’s development through physical activity and education.
Youth Basketball Takes Center Stage
The competition is open to boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 12. According to tournament organizer and Dominican Sports Hall of Famer José “Maíta” Mercedes, approximately 240 young athletes will compete, while coaches and technical staff will raise total participation to nearly 300 people.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the Framboyán Club Sports Center in the Invi neighborhood of Los Mina, a district within Santo Domingo Este, part of the Greater Santo Domingo metropolitan area.
Twenty Clubs to Participate
The tournament will feature teams representing communities across Santo Domingo Este, including Savica, Sans Soucí, Los Mina, Calero, 29 de Junio, Ramón Matías Mella, Villa Carmen, Villa Venezuela, San Antonio, Los Dinámicos, Balata, Eugenio María de Hostos, Francia Nueva, Pueblo Nuevo, Juan Carlos Ramos, Labrador de San Isidro, Maranatha, Los Frailes, Framboyán and Villa Faro.
Mercedes said the tournament has grown into one of the municipality’s most important youth basketball competitions, providing children with opportunities to develop athletic skills while promoting discipline, teamwork, respect and sportsmanship.
Opening Ceremony and Community Involvement
The inaugural event will include the traditional parade of participating delegations, a tribute to Alberto Rodríguez, official ceremonies and the ceremonial opening tip that will formally launch this year’s competition.
Organizers have invited sports officials, coaches, parents, relatives and local residents to attend the event and support the young athletes. Beyond competition, the tournament aims to strengthen grassroots basketball development while encouraging positive values among children through organized sports.
