Closing of the 12th CPLP Games in Dili Highlights Unity, Youth and Sportsmanship
The closing ceremony of the 12th Sports Games of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) took place on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, at the Municipal Stadium in Dili, before an audience of more than 5,000 people, in an atmosphere marked by the celebration of youth, cultural diversity and friendship among Portuguese-speaking peoples. The event was attended by the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and various delegations and representatives from CPLP member countries. 
In his speech, the Head of Government expressed Timor-Leste's ‘deep pride and emotion’ in hosting the CPLP Games for the first time and thanked ‘all the delegations present — from Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and, of course, Timor-Leste, ‘emphasizing that ’during this past week, Dili was much more than the capital of Timor-Leste. It was the capital of sports, youth, and friendship among the peoples of the CPLP.’ 
‘Together, We Are One!’ was the motto that inspired a week of healthy competition and cultural exchange. ‘On and off the field and tracks, the young athletes demonstrated their sportsmanship and friendliness. They showed us their commitment and teamwork in pursuit of a common goal, taught us the value of fundamental respect for teammates and those they competed against, and sports ethics,” said the Prime Minister. He added that ‘sport is a school of peace and tolerance, a space where everyone has a place and a source of inspiration, especially for younger generations.’ 
The 2025 edition featured nine sports: athletics, athletics for people with disabilities, chess, beach volleyball, 3×3 basketball, football, taekwondo, karate and tennis. Timor-Leste won a total of 19 medals (3 gold, 6 silver and 10 bronze), behind Portugal, which led the table with 42 medals, followed by Cape Verde (26), Angola (23), Mozambique (10) and São Tomé and Príncipe (6). 
During the ceremony, Cape Verde was crowned winner of the under-16 football tournament after beating Angola 4-3 in a penalty shootout. The Games torch was symbolically handed over by the Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Nelyo Isaac Sarmento, to the Secretary-General of the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of the CPLP, Ricardo Ribeiro Gonçalves, marking the end of the 12th edition and the continuation of the spirit of cooperation within the Portuguese-speaking community.
The closing ceremony of the Games was accompanied by a cultural show at the Dili Convention Centre, with musical performances, traditional dances, a food fair and a craft exhibition, reinforcing the exchange and appreciation of the cultural identities of the CPLP countries. The Vice Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Economic Affairs, Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, emphasized that “these initiatives serve not only to celebrate sports, but also to promote intercultural dialogue and strengthen ties between the peoples of the CPLP.” 
The week was also marked by the CPLP Youth Forum and meetings of Directors-General for Youth and Sport, initiatives that preceded the CPLP Conference of Ministers for Youth and Sport, held the following day, July 27th, which aim to promote common policies on youth and sports development. 
At the closing of the ceremony, the Prime Minister addressed the young athletes directly: “You are the present and the future. I hope that you will continue to demonstrate in your lives and promote in your sporting activities the spirit of unity and solidarity that you have shown here. You are the guardians of the values that sustain humanity. 
The next edition of the CPLP Sports Games is provisionally scheduled for 2027, in Brazil. Until then, the memory of an unforgettable week of sports, culture and unity under the motto: ‘United, We Are One!’ remains alive in Dili.’ END 
