There is. It is the sound that is heard on the court when the ball hits bottom to return to that hand that makes it bounce. Going through the exterior facilities of Los Guindos there is no other soundtrack other than the boat of balls. Or if. For just over a month there has been another sound that also stands out on the neighborhood basketball courts on Saturday mornings: «Come on, go upstairs!», «Take it now!», «Great!», Exclaim Ángeles Torres and José Sánchez. They are the voices of teaching and the fight for the social integration of children through sports, in this case with the help of basketball.
In front of them, the looks of Fede, Gonzalo, Óscar and Agustín have a fixed objective: the basket. It is Oscar’s turn, he raises his head, bounces the ball, raises his arms and, after the wrist turn, the triple arrives. «Well, Oscar, there are already three baskets», can be heard behind the fence of the Los Guindos slopes. The shot of this little 6-year-old this time did not add up to three points. That triple meant one more step for children with cognitive functional diversity, specifically in his case due to autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD.
EBG Málaga’s commitment to creating and teaming up for these little athletes seems to be having good results. The name says it all: ‘Integra2’. This is the second year of Ángeles Torres working with functional diversity in basketball and, when talking about this group, she does not stop expressing positive opinions: “In my experience, these children have adapted much better than I expected; I’m very happy “, emphasizes the coach of the group. The other person in charge of guiding the team is José Sánchez, Physical Education teacher who also has experience in school with children with this disability. «In the little time that we have been, we have seen a very great evolution. They are starting to bounce the ball without it escaping from their hands, reaching the basket … », highlights the coach.
Making pineapple
Putting basketball technique aside, this sport gives you much more than a simple evolution with the handling of the ball. From that voice that encouraged Óscar behind the fence, there was Estefanía, next to her little girl in her arms, who could not hide her joy at seeing her son in that hour of training on Saturdays (from 10.30 to 11.30). «He was curious about basketball. We learned about this team through the Adecco Foundation and we came here. At school there are times when they are a little more alone. Here they feel that they have their team. Group sports are great for him … », says Estefanía, while her eyes continue to follow the shots and bounces that her little Oscar makes.
«I have been working for two years with functional diversity focused on basketball. Children adapt very well »
angels torres (coach)
The team of coaches also agree on the benefits of this activity. «From the physical point of view it gives them a lot of coordination, and on a social level what is achieved is brutal. They feel part of a group, ”says José Sánchez. “It helps them in decision-making, in their autonomy, in improving motor skills …”, adds the coach. Torres also highlights the need for this type of equipment and activities for children with cognitive functional diversity: “Actually, everything in Malaga is aimed at older children. Many parents are afraid because they do not know how they will react and, until they grow up, they dare not aim at them. But that opens up a great field of benefits for children, “he argues.
“From a physical point of view it gives them a lot of coordination, and at a social level what is achieved is brutal”
José Sánchez (coach)
That is why until now ‘Integra2’ from EBG Málaga has six boys, although due to the measures of the Board they could only attend training sessions Óscar, Gonzalo, Fede and Agustín, since Izan and Nora could not travel through the perimeter closure of Malaga capital; now with the new restrictions on all non-essential activity, training sessions are canceled until further notice. «The places that we have offered are two groups of eight people. The first group is almost complete and we would like to gradually create the second. The activity is open from 6 years onwards », says the coach. As more teammates arrive, these little basketball players they will continue every Saturday on the slopes of Los Guindos making pineapple, learning and shooting triples for integration.
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