The following is an article, written by Daren Jenkins with Fansizeded, who dealt with the Special Olympics Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 4 September:
As the excitement builds, the training continues and the preparations for the very first Special Olympics Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico, arrived 5-7 December 7 December. The United Teams will consist of a total of 200 athletes with or without intellectual handicaps from 30 countries that represent everything Special Olympic Games Regions will compete in the event.
“Throughout Latin -America and all over the world, we witness the extraordinary power of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities every day to break through barriers and inspire lasting change,” said Claudia Echeverry, regional president and director of Special Olympics Latin -America. This event will show the world that inclusion is not only feasible – it is the future of sport for development, and it is a future that we build together. ”
Read more: What are United Sports?
The draw determined who each team will play in the first round of the tournament. To start the draw, the teams were divided into four pots based on their home region. The teams were drawn and placed in their groups. As a guest team, Puerto Rico was first signed and placed in group A. The men’s teams were divided into five groups (A, B, C, D and E) with four countries in each group for a total of 20 teams. The women’s side consists of two groups of five (A and B) and two groups of four (C and D) a total of 18 teams. The teams will compete in competitions against their group, who will determine who the quarterfinals, semi -final and finals are progressing.
The draft ceremony was led by Special Olympics International, Special Olympics Puerto RicoAnd the local organizing committee for the cup and organized by Federico Lopez.
The draw was attended by various influential leaders and legends of Puerto Rican basketball, including:
- Hector Vazquez Muniz, Puerto Rico’s Sport and Recreation Secretary
- Hector Magdiel Rivera.
- Claudia Echeverry, Special Olympics Regional President and Managing Director
- David Bernier, president of the Special Olympics 3×3 Unified Basketball World Cup
- Hamchetou Maiga-Ba, Olympian, former WNBA player and Special Olympics International Board Member
- Maria Luisa Franklin, Special Olympics Puerto Rico Athlete Leader
- Pamela Rosado, captain of the national basketball team of Puerto Rico
- Katie Villarini, Puerto Rico National Basketball Team and National 3×3 team member
Flor Melendez, an icon in the history of Puerto’s basketball as a player, now coach was also present. During competitions he will serve as a honorary coach and his excitement and the importance of the competitions held in San Juan.
“Puerto Rico is known for his passion for basketball, making hosting the World Cup an important event,” said Melendez. It rewards the efforts of the special Olympic Games in Puerto Rico and worldwide. My daughter, who has attended many international events with me, always emphasizes the importance of uniform sports. Puerto Ricans must recognize and celebrate the performance of special Olympic athletes. Now that I work with them, I see these athletes as national team champions and future stars. Puerto Ricans must remember and honor their contributions. ”
From now on until the matches start in December, the teams will train in their home countries in preparation to participate in the competitions. When the athletes arrive in San Juan, they will compete at Distrito T-Mobile, with two competition jobs and an outdoor heating court, all of which meet FIBA standards. Together with a number of great basketball match, the Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup will also contain a large number of events to continue to promote unity and inclusion, events are my first basketball experience, Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), Sports Clinics, Unified Sports Experience and Fairs.
For more information about the Special Olympics 3×3 Unified Basketball World Cup 2025 www.Specialolympics.org.
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