In the municipality of Antilla, when people talk about “El Juego” (The Game) everyone knows that it is the “Luis Pons Latour in Memoriam” 3×3 Basketball Cup, to be held in the town from December 21 to 23, 2023.
The competition is part of the “Sonrisa a la esperanza” project, which under the leadership of Nolberto Martínez Garrido offers sound options for young people to spend their spare time, among other collateral objectives.
Adonis Carlos Navarro Rigueiro, or simply “Manini”, as they are known in his native Antilla, works intensely with him. But who are these two sports enthusiasts and lovers of their homeland?
Nolberto Martínez Garrido was born in Antilla on January 26, 1966. From his entrance to the elementary school he stood out in the sport activities and at the age of 10 he enrolled in the Provincial School of Sport Initiation (EIDE) of Holguin, in the school course 1976-1977, culminating in the sixth and seventh grades.
Due to his excellent performance and comprehensive results, he was promoted to the “Marcelo Salado” water sports center in Havana, where he remained until 1983.
During this stage, he held different positions in the FEEM and in the internal life of the center, showing his leadership at all times.
Due to his excellent performance and comprehensive results, he was promoted to the water sports center “Marcelo Salado” in Havana, where he remained until 1983.
During this stage he held different positions in the FEEM and in the internal life of the center, showing his leadership at all times.
His participation in different international events is worthy, among which he has won the title of Bicampeón Centroamericano y del Caribe de polo acuático, obtaining such victories in Venezuela 1979 and Havana 1981.
He was also selected most valuable player and leading scorer in both events, where he served as captain of the teams.
He obtained a gold medal in CANAMEX, is a multi medalist in special series, national and other international events. Among the many different jobs he has held, he served as Municipal Sports Director.
Adonis Carlos Navarro Rigueiro was born on November 4, 1958, also in Antilla and graduated from the Pedagogical Institute of Holguin in 1981 with a degree in Physical Education, specializing in basketball, and became a high performance coach in that sport.
Due to his excellent performance, he was selected to direct the teams of both sexes of foreign students at the Pedagogical Institute of the Isle of Youth, from 1986 to 1989, with which he participated in the First Universiade of Cuban Sports.
On that occasion, the women’s team won a bronze medal and the men’s team took fourth place, in addition to contributing an athlete to the national team.
Over the years, he has continued achieving victories and values in different scenarios, both in Cuba and in Mexico, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.
He has worked for more than four decades as basketball coach of national teams and clubs, Physical Education teacher, technical director in the preparation of teams of various categories and has taught courses, postgraduate courses and seminars to national and foreign coaches. Although he no longer lives in the territory, one of his biggest dreams is to coach a basketball team in Antilla, his hometown.
The local fans are grateful to these two illustrious Antilla born for the opportunity to witness a sporting event very soon: “The Game”.
By Milagros Puig Hernández
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