Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) Relaunches Sports Strategy

As part of the relaunch of a sports strategy by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), its General Director, Mikel Arriola, stated that any public sector incentive scheme to promote sports will be analyzed, thus fulfilling President Enrique Peña Nieto's instructions to rescue the IMSS Sports Units and promote sports, preventing physical ailments and preparing more champions.

The Institute is relaunching its sports strategy with the aim of promoting healthy habits and preventing ailments such as overweight, obesity, and diabetes.

The Social Security Administration hopes to make the most of its sports infrastructure (the largest in the country with nearly 700 facilities, according to Institute authorities) so that its beneficiaries engage in regular physical activity.

Among others, Olympic medalists Laura Sánchez, Felipe Muñoz, Jesús Mena, Fernando Platas, Carlos Girón, Daniel Aceves, Carlos Mercenario, Germán Sánchez, Ernesto Canto, and Joel Sánchez attended the relaunch meeting; as well as Paralympic medalists Juan Ignacio Reyes and Mauro Máximo de Jesús. Coach Iván Bautista, as well as María José Alcalá, world champion in diving and current head of the Physical Culture and Sports Division of the Social Security Administration, were also present at the meeting.

When speaking, some of the athletes highlighted the fact that they started their sports careers in IMSS facilities, where they were motivated to engage in sports and transcend to win medals and championships, representing Mexico on a global level. They expressed their willingness to support the new sports strategy and were pleased to learn about the Institute's emphasis on mass sports for disease prevention and fostering future sporting talent in Mexico.

During the meeting, Arriola asked the athletes to develop a work program to meet two or three times a year to follow up on their proposals.

Finally, Arriola Peñalosa pledged to renovate the Morelos Sports Unit and the High-level Aquatic Activities Center (CAAAN), a place that has produced Olympic athletes and world champions for many years.