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Two underage athletes from the hockey discipline have reportedly been expelled from the Cerro Pelado Sports Initiation School (EIDE) in Camagüey due to drug use.
The news was shared on social media by journalist José Luis Tan Estrada, who specified that the students involved were even rushed to the Pediatric Hospital in the city of Agramonte after experiencing seizures.
The drug is believed to have entered the institution "through a former hockey athlete who was attending training for the National First Category Championship," the reporter specified, citing statements from employees of the institution.
The decision to expel the two involved students was made this Wednesday during a Disciplinary Council meeting.
The parents have expressed their intention to appeal, arguing that "although there are school sanctions against their children," there is no evidence of administrative sanctions in the face of such incidents, which occurred "in the presence of many supervisors."
In the comments section of his post, Tan Estrada urged the Provincial Directorate of Public Health and the Directorate of Education to deny the incident.
"I have the names of the students", concluded the communicator, who also refrained from mentioning the ages of those involved.
Dozens of internet users reacted in shock to what is yet another piece of evidence of how deeply drugs have penetrated among Cuban youth.
"Oh my God! The situation with drugs is out of control in this country."; "There's not much left to see."; "Drugs are rampant."; "It’s very sad what’s happening with drugs and young people... and athletes!"; "It has really spiraled out of control."; "It’s very sad what we’re experiencing."; "Oh God, have mercy on this people!"; "How sad this country is."; "How tragic the situation in Cuba," were some of the comments.
"That cannot be allowed because the expulsion aspect is not up for debate; it is unsportsmanlike conduct, and if any teacher or coach was aware of it, they too should be expelled and punished for staying silent," pointed out an internet user.
"I don't believe the expulsion is up for discussion. It's unsportsmanlike behavior, no matter how you look at it. If any manager, coach, or teacher was aware of it, as the parents say, then they too should be expelled and sanctioned by the appropriate authorities," another commentator agreed.
There were also those who disagreed with the measure adopted: "I don't understand why they should be expelled; what they need is more training and education, to be helped. And if Maradona received support in detox clinics in Cuba, why not do the same for Cuban youth?"
Others urged parents of teenagers and young people in general to stay alert and attentive to their children, even sharing a photo of a bag of gummy candies that contain drugs.
As of the closure of this report, there are no further details regarding the incident. Neither state-run media nor the institutions involved have confirmed the news.
In Cuba, the Schools of Sports Initiation (EIDE) are designed to identify, train, and develop athletic talent from an early age. The students attending these institutions are typically between 12 and 18 years old, corresponding to the levels of basic secondary education and pre-university education.
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