Saint John – During his prolific career of more than 60 years as a leader, Flor Melendez He has experienced almost everything in the world of basketball.
However, when he thought that few things could surprise him, he discovered the world of athletes from Special Olympicsan experience that has left him deeply captivated.
Meléndez was appointed mentor to the coaches for the I Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cupwhich is held in the T-Mobile District, and is already planning to promote the holding of similar tournaments across the island.
“I feel good because I am doing work with another class of athletes that I have always coached. This has been a lesson for me, because it is different. There we have to work harder in the group and here we have to work with each individual athlete,” Meléndez expressed this Saturday, after the first victory of the unified women’s team against Jamaica by 8-7.
It was the first victory for the women’s team, after two defeats, and later they won again by beating Canada 9-1.
In the case of the men’s team, they have won their first three games and will return to the field this Saturday at 7:00 pm to face Paraguay.
“These athletes are very responsible. They have been working for about three months. They work every week and do what is asked of them. I loved it and I am going to continue working with them and try to make the program great throughout Puerto Rico. I think there are many children who need this,” added the veteran coach with experience in the adult National Team and the BSN.
Meléndez explained that the athletes had never participated in a tournament of this nature, since it is the first time that an event of this type has been organized.
Although he thought they would be more nervous, he highlighted that both teams responded very well. She also pointed out that the women’s group was formed just a month ago and that the members have been working intensely on their preparation. He added that the victories obtained by the teams have been deeply gratifying for everyone.
An ambitious plan
Beyond the tournament, Meléndez is already thinking about how to expand the impact of the unified program around the country.
Aware of the particular needs of these athletes and the potential that basketball has to transform their lives, the veteran leader envisions a much broader and more organized development structure.
His idea, he explained, ranges from training coaches to establishing medical, nutritional and psychological support, with a regional system that allows constant monitoring of the progress of each young person.
“What I want is to have groups throughout the island. The idea is to divide it into six regions, as I did with the Altura programand prepare coaches to work with athletes in nearby towns, providing them with supervision. Then, once a month, bring together the best in one place along with doctors, nutritionists and psychologists, because with these children we must attend to their diets and emotional well-being. And we, the coaches and physical trainers, would continue working hand in hand with them,” he said.
“I hope the mayors give us support, because this is a population that really needs that help. It’s not just about focusing on basketball in general, but also on these children who are participating here for the first time. Right now everything is being played in the metropolitan area, and I believe that this should be expanded to give the opportunity to all the children of Puerto Rico”, he pointed out.
