A proclamation for the Rosario Festival linked to basketball
The Sports Recreation Group MERACAS, organizer of the Ramón Castañeyra Góngora Memorial – 24 Hours of Basketball, will be the collective that gives the official kick‑off to the patron saint festivities of the island’s capital on Sunday, 21 September.
The Puerto del Rosario City Council announced the news on Thursday, 28 August, at the Oasis Pavilion – the same venue that hosted the event for the first time in 1983. The tournament has been part of the capital’s history and identity for more than four decades.
Representing MERACAS were members of the current board: Janey Castañeyra, Airam Melián, and Iria Clavijo. From the municipal side attended the mayor David de Vera, the councilor for Festivities Tacoremi Gutiérrez, and the councilor for Sports Luis Chacón.
“I thank the Sports Recreation Group MERACAS for accepting the challenge of proclaiming the Rosario Festivities 2025. We are talking‑about a collective with more than 40 years of history that has not only kept the Ramón Castañeyra Memorial and the 24 Hours of Basketball alive, but has also become an essential part of our celebrations, transmitting values of effort, coexistence and camaraderie,” said Mayor David de Vera.
“MERACAS has succeeded in instilling a love for sport and physical activity in our youth, always within a festive and healthy environment. We invite all citizens to join us on 21 September at the Plaza of Our Lady of the Rosario for a proclamation that promises to be intimate, emotional and full of memories about our municipality’s history,” added Councilor Tacoremi Gutiérrez.
“It is an honour for us to proclaim the Rosario Festivities. The 24 Hours of Basketball began as a tribute to Ramón Castañeyra and, over the years, have grown into a grand celebration of sport and community. With this proclamation we want to convey that same spirit of gathering and participation to all of Puerto del Rosario,” said Janey Castañeyra on behalf of MERACAS’s board.
The current president of the collective also paid special tribute to the founding leadership, naming Victoriano “Torano” Morales – described as “our honorary president, always working behind the scenes, yet the most important person in the organization” – as well as Teresa de León, Belinda de León, Juan Carlos Lavandera “Lico”, and the late Andrés Valerón.
“The work MERACAS has done with the 24 Hours of Basketball over the years is an event that now belongs to our collective memory. We encourage everyone to take part, whether from the court or from the stands,” said Sports Councilor Luis Chacón.
Choosing MERACAS as the proclaimers of the Rosario Festivities 2025 highlights the effort of a group that, since 1983, has blended sport, memory and community into an event that transcends the basketball court and has become a must‑see highlight on the capital’s festive calendar.
The proclamation ceremony will take place on Sunday, 21 September, at the Plaza of Our Lady of the Rosario and will conclude with a musical performance by the group Chocolate Sexy.