27 Jan., 2007 -- Cub and Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday signed a sports cooperation agreement, which both countries view as a new step towards strengthening their bilateral ties.

The agreement was signed by Christian Jimenez Molina, chairman of the Cuban National Institute for Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER), and Winston Williams, Antigua and Barbuda Youth Affairs and Sports Minister.

The five-year agreement includes developing human resources, building sports facilities, exchanging teams and delegations, controlling doping, organizing programs, applying sports medicine and collaborating in physical education and some other things.

Williams thanked the people and government of Cuba, especially president Fidel Castro "for his vision and the support given us in areas such as sports, health, public services and road rehabilitation".

On behalf of Caribbean and CARICOM countries, Williams hailed Cuba's efforts and support for the sake of advancing Latin American and Caribbean integration.

For his part, Jimenez Molina stressed the importance of the agreement.

Molina said: "it is a privilege to share in a modest, simple and committed fashion the progress Cuba has made (in sports) since the Revolution 48 year ago".

Source: Xinhua