The South American Youth Games Panama 2026 have officially begun with the torch relay in the province of Chiriquí. The flame, which will eventually light the cauldron to mark the start of the games, is being hosted in Panama for the first time in history, kicking off a sporting event that will leave its mark on the entire nation.
On Friday, March 27, 2026, the torch began its journey in the province of Chiriquí, with Jorge Castelblanco leading the relay in the city of David.
The event featured several notable figures posing by the Panama 2026 cauldron, including (from left to right): a representative from the Mayor’s Office of David; the official mascot, Antón; Para-cyclists Esteban Goddard Jr. and Luis Martínez; the Regional Director of PANDEPORTES in Chiriquí, Pancho Jaime; cyclist Mojamed Mendez; and former basketball player Luis Arciniegas.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presence of the local citizens of Chiriquí, who posed with the official mascot, Antón, and enjoyed the cauldron-lighting ceremony. This event marked the beginning of a nationwide tour for the flame, setting the stage for a sporting celebration that aims to unite the Panamanian people.
