WILLEMSTAD – The declining number of teams participating in Curaçao's Double-A baseball competition and the suspension of Double-A softball for approximately one year have prompted PNP Member of Parliament Ruisandro Cijntje to warn that the island's domestic sports structure is deteriorating.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Cijntje questioned how Curaçao can continue promoting sports development while established local competitions are losing participants or remaining inactive.
Member of Parliament Ruisandro Cijntje
The parliamentarian believes the weakening of domestic leagues threatens opportunities for athletes, undermines the work of volunteers, and raises serious concerns about the future of organized sports on the island.
His warning follows concerns expressed by sports administrators and former athletes during a local radio broadcast on Sunday.
Cijntje said the situation demands immediate attention because local competitions provide an important foundation for developing athletes and sustaining Curaçao's sporting traditions.
Fewer Teams in Double-A Baseball
According to Cijntje, the number of teams participating in Double-A baseball has declined.
He considers this a troubling development for a country with a strong baseball tradition and a history of producing athletes who have achieved international recognition.
Although his statement does not provide figures showing how many teams previously participated or how many remain active, he identifies the decline as evidence that local sporting structures are weakening.
The parliamentarian believes attention must be given to the conditions necessary for clubs and competitions to remain viable.
Organized leagues provide athletes with regular opportunities to compete, improve their abilities, and develop experience within structured sporting environments.
They also depend on administrators, coaches, officials, and volunteers who dedicate their time to keeping competitions operational.
Cijntje warned that the deterioration of these structures could have consequences extending beyond individual teams.
Double-A Softball Inactive for Approximately One Year
The parliamentarian expressed similar concerns about Double-A softball, which he said has been inactive for approximately one year.
He described the situation as another indication that the island's sports sector is experiencing serious difficulties.
The absence of an active competition limits opportunities for participating athletes and raises questions about the organizational conditions required to restart the league.
Cijntje did not identify the specific reasons for the softball shutdown or indicate when the competition might resume.
However, he believes the interruption should prompt a broader examination of the challenges affecting Curaçao's sports organizations.
The parliamentarian questioned how authorities can speak about developing sports while established competitions are struggling to survive.
He also asked how the future of local athletes can be guaranteed if the institutions and competitions supporting them are not adequately protected.
Volunteers Must Not Become Victims of Power Struggles
Cijntje emphasized that volunteers have played a central role in building Curaçao's sports sector.
For decades, individuals have contributed their time, resources, and expertise to organizing competitions, managing clubs, and supporting athletes.
The parliamentarian warned that these volunteers should not become victims of personal ambitions, conflicts between administrators, or struggles for control within sports organizations.
He believes the independence and stability of sports federations and clubs must be protected.
According to Cijntje, intimidation, political interference, and abuse of power have no place in sporting institutions.
His concerns also extend to the appointment of sports administrators, which he believes should be based on competence, integrity, and experience rather than favoritism or political influence.
National Recovery Plan Needed
To address the problems, Cijntje is calling on the government to develop a comprehensive national plan aimed at restoring and strengthening local sports competitions.
He wants the plan to cover all levels of participation, from youth development to adult leagues.
The objective, according to the parliamentarian, should be to rebuild strong and sustainable sporting structures that allow athletes to develop their talents and compete regularly.
Cijntje also believes the government should ensure that sports organizations operate independently and that public investments are managed transparently.
His proposal comes alongside broader demands for investigations into possible irregularities and improved accountability in the management of sports facilities and resources.
The statement does not outline a proposed budget, implementation schedule, or specific measures for restarting the affected competitions.
Nevertheless, the parliamentarian insists that action cannot be delayed.
Protecting Curaçao's Sporting Future
Cijntje believes the decline of local competitions should concern the entire community, not only those directly involved in baseball and softball.
He argues that sports have historically played an important role in bringing Curaçao residents together and creating opportunities for young people.
The parliamentarian warned that the structures built over decades could deteriorate further if the government and sports organizations fail to address existing problems.
He called for greater respect for volunteers, stronger protection for athletes, and a renewed commitment to developing sports at every level.
Cijntje concluded that Curaçao must act now to protect its sporting future, warning that waiting until the problems become more severe could make recovery increasingly difficult.
His message is that international sporting achievements must be supported by healthy and functioning domestic competitions capable of preparing the next generation of Curaçao athletes.