The Salesian Foundation PACES, which has an agreement with Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, inaugurated the 2017 "Copa Don Bosco" soccer tournament in the university's coliseum in Cuenca. The inauguration was attended by over 600 children and their parents and family members.

UPS president Javier Herran welcomed everyone to the sports competition and encouraged them to participate in brotherhood and in a friendly manner.

As is a tradition before a sports competition, Rene Rivera lighted the flame and the oath by declared by Joselyn Guarango.

The tournament was officially declared by Father Juan Cardenas, director of the Salesian Community of Yanuncay, who was very happy to take part in the ceremony. He congratulated the participating teams for the organization and the commitment.

Father Juan also thanked all the institutions that helped organize the tournament: Ministerio de Inclusión Económica y Social, Municipio de Cuenca, Comunidad Salesiana, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Unidad Educativa Técnico Salesiano, as well as professors and other people who donated uniforms and sponsored children who work and are in need.

 UPS students who major in Physical Education, Business, automotive mechanical engineering and others are directly involved in the activities.

Edgar Gordillo, director of PACES, thanked the university for all its support and acknowledged the students work with the foundation. Finally, he invited the entire university community to take part in the PACES project through research, community involvement or volunteers