Last weekend he got the ball rolling in the first phase of the sixth edition of LALIGA GENUINE, the competition organized by LALIGA, through its Foundation, and promotes the integration of people with intellectual disabilities in the world of football. And, as a prelude to the start of the championship, the vast majority of participating teams were able to enjoy an unforgettable day of coexistence at PortAventura World.
Around 600 players demonstrated their great rapport and desire to share and have fun on an exciting day in which sport, fun, integration and awareness were on everyone's lips. “LALIGA GENUINE goes beyond being simply a sports competition,” said Olga de la Fuente, director of the LALIGA FOUNDATION.
And what was experienced in PortAventura is the best example of this. Because the link formed between LALIGA GENUINE and Portaventura World makes one thing very clear: “This alliance is generating the opportunity to offer unique experiences for LALIGA GENUINE participants through the enjoyment of recreational actions in an unbeatable environment,” said De La Fuente. .
Joy and camaraderie became the main protagonists of an event marked by a good atmosphere and the desire to share experiences. On this special day, an informative day was also held, attended by representatives of LALIGA GENUINE clubs, 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 Barça Foundation players, reflected on the challenges and opportunities arising from this pioneering league that has revolutionized the world of football. by promoting its practice among people with intellectual disabilities.
Subsequently, a debate was held in which the positive impact that sport and leisure have on society was delved into. With the title “Leisure and sport as inclusion tools for groups with functional diversity” it featured presentations by prominent 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 highlighted that the practice of sport, together with recreational actions such as the one held last weekend, undoubtedly offers physical benefits for athletes. But not only that, it also stimulates the emotional well-being of the participants. An idea that Olga de la Fuente shares: “From promoting health and well-being to promoting inclusion and social cohesion, we have discovered how leisure and sports are transforming lives and communities,” she stressed.
To end the day, Pablo Pineda, a reference in the inclusive world and the first university graduate with Down syndrome, was able to move attendees with a conference in which he focused on the importance of raising awareness in society and generating a community. fairer and more diverse by looking at people “without putting labels up front.”
And there could be no better environment to highlight the values that LALIGA GENUINE defends than PortAventura World, which is also one of the competition's associated brands. “The most special thing about the day,” highlighted Sergi Padilla, manager of the PortAventura Foundation, were “the screams in the attractions, full of adrenaline, from the participants and the moments of anecdotes and laughter in the photorides of the attractions.”
All this based on a vision shared by companies and attendees: “We are convinced that the day has been very enriching for everyone. With this meeting, we have demonstrated, once again, that leisure, together with sport, are key to promoting inclusion and diversity, and that empathy, camaraderie and fun are fundamental values to achieve this," he noted.
An event that also included the presence of Javier Saviola, the former soccer player and LALIGA ambassador, who wanted to accompany and support the players in this very special start.
In the six years that the competition has been held, the entire community that is part of LALIGA GENUINE has been able to see first-hand an idea that hovers over each meeting, in each 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 rapport between the rivals on the field during the day they spent at the leisure park to understand that each of those players has a unique capacity to adapt and overcome difficulties.
“Through sport, they have faced challenges, improved their skills and shown that determination and effort can lead to success, both on the field and in everyday life,” highlighted the director of FUNDACIÓN LALIGA. And something else, Olga de la Fuente continued: “We have perceived that interaction in a sports environment, whether during training, matches or events, has facilitated the development of social skills among participants. This includes communication, teamwork and the creation of emotional bonds, promoting a sense of belonging to a community.”
This recreational day reinforces LALIGA GENUINE's commitment to stimulating the inclusion of people with disabilities through football. Sport is capable of breaking down barriers, promoting participation, solidarity and coexistence among all. “It is about,” De La Fuente assured, “about promoting a culture of acceptance and appreciation for diversity.” And no less important: a competition like this improves the personal development of all participants. Of course, from sport, but also with training and socio-labor inclusion programs.
