Mexico's National Physical Culture and Sports Commission said in a Friday statement it had renewed its sporting exchange agreement with Cuba, with 40 Cubans training athletes and coaches in 23 of Mexico's states each year.

Juan Manuel Rotter, the body's deputy director general, said the deal was agreed during the recent meeting in Cuba between Rotter and Oscar Acosta, who manages the Cuban body responsible for the exchange program.

Mexico would like to increase the total yearly exchange to 87, and reach all 32 of the nation's states.

Each Mexican state is obliged to send at least one coach overseas under the program: a form of training that teaches them coaching and leadership skills, Rotter said.

Among the sports in the program are athletics, boxing, cycling, canoeing, fencing, gymnastics, swimming, judo, weightlifting, wrestling, rowing, archery and target shooting.

Source: Xinhua