The University of Havana reaffirms its "anti-imperialist tradition"but look for private sponsors

Havana/The University of Havana, which a few days ago reaffirmed its “anti-imperialist tradition” and “pride of the Nation and alma mater of distinguished Cubans” on its 298th anniversary, is now seeking sponsorships of all kinds, including private ones, for the 2026 Caribbean Games, the most important sporting event of the institution.

The UH offers national and international companies, organizations, cultural and sports institutions to “project their brand” on “posters, networks, broadcasts and stands“. Contributions can be “monetary or in kind”, without specifying what they will be used for.

With the slogan “With soul, knowledge and dedication: together we build the Caribbean 2026 Games”, the institution ensures that the alliances seek to “strengthen the university autonomy” of a house of studies, which, in the words of the rector Miriam Nicado García“trains citizens with an ethical sense and social responsibility and with cultural and patriotic commitment.”

The call, which was published by the institution on Instagram, immediately generated reactions. Some users consider that the UH has been affected by the crisis that the Island is going through. Some commentators put on the table the fact that the State already allocates a large budget to the institution. Specifically, according to official figures, 71,983 million pesos to the Education branch. A part will be used to ensure an enrollment of 204,299 students in 22 universities, 122 municipal university centers, 24 university branches and 32 science, technology and innovation entities.

Others question the supposed autonomy they highlight. Law 179 of the Cuban Sports System in its article establishes that the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder) guides, regulates and controls advertising and sponsorship. The rule is clear, all advertising and sponsorship are authorized and controlled by the regime.

The idea of ​​sponsorships has so far failed on the Island. Last November the state Cubadeportes offered to state and private companies sponsor National Baseball Series teams in exchange for packages ranging from 13,125,000 pesos (around $24,300) to 71,250,000 ($148,000). However, to date, there are no takers.

The journalist of the specialized media Cuban ball USA Yordano Carmona questioned the state company’s attempt to “try to sell the National Series as if it were a high-end product,” a sport in a country “with overflowing inflation, stagnant salaries and a currency that loses value daily.”

For his part, the legal director of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (Inder), Karel Pachot recognized in the program Live Ball last October, that no businessman had been interested in putting his brand on the players’ uniforms or in the stadiums.