Costa Rica's Minister of Sports, Donald Rojas, stated in an interview with Xinhua news agency that the construction of the National Stadium in San José, a symbol of friendship between China and Costa Rica, is undoubtedly one of the great milestones for Costa Rican sports. He emphasized that there is a clear 'before and after' for the country's sports since the stadium's construction. Located in the La Sabana Metropolitan Park, the stadium has hosted major events including World Cup qualifiers, two U-17 and U-20 Women's World Cups, and the 2013 Central American Games. 'The stadium has not only served to develop sports to a greater extent, but it has also allowed us to position ourselves as a place in the region where concerts and cultural shows can be held,' the minister reiterated, noting its capacity for up to 50,000 spectators, something the country could not achieve before. The official also mentioned that the National Stadium has increased cultural exchanges, particularly with the Chinese community in the Central American nation. 'It is the epicenter of music, sports, politics, and lately, even health, as the National Stadium has hosted vaccination campaigns, other types of campaigns, exams, and medical interventions on a large scale,' he added. Rojas recalled that his country is very passionate about sports, especially football, making it part of the national identity. He also commented on maintaining strong ties with the Chinese Embassy in Costa Rica and the Chinese government. For the minister, the best moment was the inauguration of the 2013 San José Central American Games, where the country served as the regional host for the start of the Olympic cycle. Looking ahead, they aim to develop cooperation in table tennis, surfing, football, and explore the possibility of knowledge transfer between China and Costa Rica in sports infrastructure management. Rojas also highlighted the future challenge of elevating Costa Rica's competitive level across all disciplines and developing the social dimension of sports in the nation.