Arias: Costa Rica Needs a Sports Ministry

Costa Rican President Oscar Arias has raised sports to the top of his agenda and is pushing for the creation of a new governmental department tasked with improving athletic opportunities here.

As a way to attack the drug problem and improve residents’ quality of life, Arias’ administration has presented a bill to establish the Sports and Recreation Ministry.

The establishment of a sports ministry will not mean the end of the Costa Rican Institute of Sports and Recreation (ICODER), which will be the executive arm of the new ministry.

Arias said the change will strengthen the political status of ICODER, as well as its budget, and it will allow for greater efficiency and better use of public funds.

–Chrissie Long