Brasília, September 26, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday, Cuba and Brazil signed a cooperation agreement for the development of school sports in Brazil. Cuban specialists in this area will work together with technical personnel in the Ministry of Sports to strengthen school sports as a tool for social and human development. In return, Brazil will send soccer professionals to the island to train coaches.

In addition to this aid, the exchange also encompasses sports for the handicapped; sports for women; anti-doping; development of sports science, technology, and infrastructure; sports medicine; information and documentation; community sports; sports and cultural identity; scouting talents; recreation and leisure; and high performance sports.

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Sports, Agnelo Queiroz, and the president of the (Cuban) National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (Inder), Humberto Rodriguez. They consider that the agreement has historical significance in the relationship between the two countries. (DAS)