Last weekend, he got the ball rolling in the first stage of the sixth edition of LALIGA GENUINE, the competition organized by LALIGA, through its Foundation, and promoting the integration of people with intellectual disabilities in the world of football. And, as a prelude to the start of the championship, most of the participating teams were able to enjoy an unforgettable day of coexistence at PortAventura World.
About 600 players showed their great affinity and desire to share and enjoy an exciting day where sport, fun, togetherness and awareness were on everyone’s lips. “LALIGA GENUINE is more than a simple sports competition,” said Olga de la Fuente, director of the LALIGA FOUNDATION.
And what was experienced at PortAventura is the best example of this. Because the link formed between LALIGA GENUINE and Portaventura World makes one thing very clear: “This alliance creates the opportunity to offer unique experiences for LALIGA GENUINE participants by enjoying the action entertainment in an unparalleled environment,” said De La Fuente.
A day full of learning
Joy and friendship became the main protagonists of an event marked by a good atmosphere and the desire to share experiences. On this special day, there was also an informative day, attended by representatives of the LALIGA GENUINE club, as well as local institutions and associations in Tarragona.
Clemente Villaverde, president of the LALIGA FOUNDATION Ramón Marsal, president of the PortAventura Foundation; José María Andreu, Director of Brand and CSR at Nàstic de Tarragona, and Marta Montserrat, mother of one of the players of the Barça Foundation, reflect on the challenges and opportunities arising from this pioneering league that has changed the world of football . by promoting its practice among people with intellectual disabilities.
Following this, a debate was held in which the positive impact of sport and leisure on society was investigated. With the title “Leisure and sport as inclusion tools for groups with functional diversity” it featured presentations by well-known entities and personalities such as Sergi Padilla, manager of the PortAventura Foundation; Pedro Suñén, head of the Real Zaragoza Foundation; Osvaldo Márquez, coach of Valencia CF Genuine, and Max Roures, founder of Dinder.
All of them emphasize that the practice of sport, including recreational actions like the one held last weekend, undoubtedly offers physical benefits for athletes. But not only that, it also boosts the emotional well-being of the participants. An idea shared by Olga de la Fuente: “From promoting health and well-being to promoting inclusion and social cohesion, we discovered how recreation and sports transform lives and communities,” she emphasized.
To end the day, Pablo Pineda, a reference in the inclusive world and the first university graduate with Down syndrome, managed to move the attendees to a conference where he focused on the importance of raising social awareness and building a community. more diverse by looking at people “without putting labels in front.”
PortAventura World, a perfect place to live a day of coexistence
And there could be no better environment to highlight the values LALIGA GENUINE stands for than PortAventura World, which is also one of the competition’s relevant brands. “The most special thing about this day,” highlighted Sergi Padilla, manager of the PortAventura Foundation, is “the scream at the attractions, full of adrenaline, from the participants and the moments of anecdote and laughter among the photoride of attractions.”
All this is based on a vision shared by companies and attendees: “We are convinced that this day has been very enriching for everyone. In this meeting, we have shown, once again, that leisure, together with sport, is key to promoting inclusion and diversity, and that empathy, friendship and fun are key values to achieve this,” he said.
An event that also included the presence of Javier Saviola, the former footballer and LALIGA ambassador, who wanted to accompany and support the players in this very special beginning.
In the six years that the competition has been held, the entire community that is part of LALIGA GENUINE has seen for itself an idea that circulates in every meeting, in every event: the group of people with intellectual disabilities has a lot to teach the community.society . Because it is enough to watch a game or observe the relationship between rivals on the field during the day they spent at the leisure park to understand that each of the players has a unique capacity to adapt and overcome difficulties.
“Through sport, they face challenges, improve their skills and show that determination and effort can lead to success, both on the field and in everyday life,” highlighted the director of FUNDACIÓN LALIGA . And more, Olga de la Fuente continued: “We found that contact in a sports environment, whether during training, matches or events, facilitated the development of social skills in the participants . This includes communication, teamwork and the creation of emotional bonds, which promote a sense of belonging to a community.”
This day of entertainment reinforces LALIGA GENUINE’s commitment to foster the inclusion of people with disabilities through football. Sport has the ability to break down barriers, promote participation, unity and harmony among all. “It’s about,” said De La Fuente, “about promoting a culture of acceptance and appreciation of diversity.” And no less important: a competition like this improves the personal development of all participants. Of course, from sport, but also training and socio-labor integration programs.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
