The Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture Zona 7 announced on March 12 the launch of the Actívate and Vamos a la Cancha services in El Oro, Loja, and Zamora Chinchipe for the 2026 period. The initiative aims to encourage social skills, physical activity, prevent sedentary lifestyles, and promote recreation among adults, seniors, and people with disabilities.
According to the ministry, these programs are designed to transform how people use their free time by promoting sports and recreational activities. The goal is to strengthen social bonds while combating inactivity in the community.
Zona 7 currently has a team of 16 instructors—10 in Loja, four in El Oro, and two in Zamora—who are trained to lead these activities at various active points throughout the region. Favio Villamizar, Coordinador Zonal 7 del MINEDEC, said: “Estamos fortaleciendo el deporte y la recreación en los diferentes sectores de la Zona 7; la idea es que más personas se sumen a estas actividades de bailoterapia y deporte, las cuales ofrecemos de manera gratuita. Como MINEDEC realizamos un trabajo interinstitucional con la finalidad de que nuestros servicios lleguen a más puntos de los cantones.”
Anita Alarcón, a participant in the Actívate service at La Tebaida park in Loja canton, expressed her appreciation for these opportunities: “Muy contentas de hacer actividad física; el Gobierno nos ayuda mucho con estos espacios que nos dan vida, que nos dan salud,” she said.
The active points operate from Monday to Friday at various times starting from 6:00 am as well as afternoon sessions at 3:00 pm and evening sessions at 6:00 pm. With the continuation of Actívate and Vamos a la Cancha services in Zona 7, public policy continues to prioritize citizen well-being through sports and recreation.
