Still active on the courts and aware that retirement is an inevitable chapter, the Puerto Rican player Tayra Melendez begins to chart her transition within basketball from a new trench, upon being named Director of the Basketball Department of JUMP Sports Development Centeran opportunity he describes as an “answered prayer” for his mother, Olga Hiraldowho for years worried about her daughter’s professional future beyond the game.
The appointment marks a significant step in the career of Meléndez, who without yet hanging up her shoes, assumes a leadership and training role that allows her to remain linked to the sport while she begins to build the stage that will follow her life as an athlete.
“For those who don’t know, this is an answered prayer for my mom. She is a person who loves that I am a player, she knows what I love, but nevertheless she knows that basketball does not last a lifetime“, shared Meléndez, co-captain of the National Team and player of Women’s National Superior Basketball (BSNF).
“Her concern was that it was going to happen to me after basketball. She gave so much knee in her prayers that it was given to her. This is a blessing for me, but it is also a blessing for her,” added the star point guard.
Meléndez shared that her mother reacted with deep emotion when she found out about the job offer, to the point that she screamed and, as she said with a laugh, “I think he even cried.”.
“When I showed her the video (with the announcement of her appointment) she cried again and said to me: ‘Is it safe, safe?’. I told her yes, and she was very happy. She She is very proud of me and told me to trust in my talent and what I can contribute to the country. I was really very excited“.
Meléndez classified the appointment as a huge step in his career and acknowledged feeling happy, “although a little nervous”. Likewise, she explained that upon receiving the offer one of her first questions was if she could continue as an active player. After receiving that confirmation, he did not hesitate to take the step.
“I accepted the challenge because I understood that I have a lot to contribute to basketball. I have an interest in contributing to the youth of Puerto Rico, and what better place to do it than in JUMP, which has one of the best facilities, if not the best in the country,” added the basketball player. Carolina Giants at the BSNF.
“I want to share that with the youth and teach them the basketball that I have learned and that identifies me as a player. It is going to be something very special and very nice,” she reiterated.
When talking about his immediate priorities, Meléndez explained that one of his main objectives is to create a program aimed at youth, focused on children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years old.which includes different training initiatives. He explained that the project contemplates the organization of summer, winter and Thanksgiving campsalthough in this first stage its priority is to structure the program and launch a summer camp that serves as a starting point. He added that, if the opportunity arises, the clinics will be the first initiative to be activated.
Likewise, he expressed his interest in JUMP becoming the home of the youth teams, considering that the complex has the necessary facilities for both training and quartering periods.
“Here at JUMP, with Tayra Meléndez, you will learn discipline, respect, and play as a team. This is a team sport that requires four other teammates and the important thing is that your team wins and not how many points you score,” he said when summarizing his philosophy.
Excited about your appointment
The hotel businessman Ricky Newmanfounder of JUMP together with the former enebeíst and now coach José Juan Bareawas pleased with the signing of the outstanding player.
“For us it’s great because we wanted to bring someone not only for the basketball team, but it’s our plan for the other programs as well,” Newman said.
The co-founder of the multidisciplinary sports complex located in the facilities of what was the Colegio Nuestra Señora de La Merced, in San Juan, declared that the incorporation of Meléndez responds to the interest of adding a figure with fresh ideas and a different profile, aligned with the sports development focus of the complex.
He added that his experience also adds value to the business model, which includes initiatives such as sports tourism and the rental of facilities, while allowing for a natural link with high-level players, as well as athletes and collegiate teams. For this reason, he assured that they did not hesitate to make the signing when the opportunity arose.
“As director of the Basketball Department, everything that falls within basketball, directly or indirectly, she has responsibility for. Whether male, female, youth, adult, everything,” said Newman.
