The facilities of the Llobregat Sports Park today the basketball finals of the 21st edition of the Pau Gasol Academy by Santander. More than 440 players and players of 37 nationalities have gathered this morning to put an end to a week full of sport, healthy habits, fun and values.
The day has started with a heating session to prepare participants for the finals. Next, the 3×3 competitions corresponding to the group stage of the different academia programs have been played: PG Academy, Special Olympics and Rising Stars. Then, the finals of all groups have been played.
One of the most special moments of the day has arrived With the appearance on the track of Alejandro Balde, professional player of FC Barcelona, accompanied by Pau Gasol, former professional basketball player, Member of the Athlete Commission of the IOC and President of the Gasol Foundation and Gasol16 Ventures. Together they have starred in a brief challenge against attendees.
To close this part, the expected match among the participants of the Rising Stars program, the Academy section that brings together young promises of basketball. The sylvia teamled by Silvia DomingueZ, former professional basketball player and legend of the Spanish team, has faced the Balde team, led by FC Barcelona footballer, Alejandro Balde. Pau Gasol has been part of both teams.
Gasol greets participants / Pau Gasol Academy
Luxury equipment
Throughout the week, players and players of the Rising Stars program have participated in Technification Clinics taught by top -level coaches such as Phil Handy, Anna Montañana, Silvia Domínguez and Robert Willett. They have also attended training talks With the international referee Alberto Baena, The Neuromuscular Therapist Barrence Baytoswho worked for years with Kobe Bryant, and the former professional player, basketball legend and winner of the WNBA, Amaya Valdemoro, who was present in virtual format, received the visit of the Los Angeles Lakers player, Jarred Vanderbilt.
“I am very excited to see the global scope that the project is having and how it continues to grow year after year. In each edition, the Pau Gasol Academy by Santander reaffirms our commitment to the base sport and the integral formation of young people. Our mission is to provide an experience that not only offers a unique sports trainingbut also encourage healthy values and habits, creating a space where basketball unites people and enhances the talent and development of the next generation. ”
The act has concluded Con the awards ceremony to the winners of the different competitions and the distribution of medals to all participants. The Pau Gasol Academy By Santander has had the main sponsorship of Banco Santander, which, year after year, renews its commitment to the project within its vocation to support Amateur. The Academy has also had Movistar, Nike, Iberia and Grand Hyatt Barcelona as collaborating partners, with Akaw Sports as an organizer, with a brand as Media Partner, with the Spanish Basketball Federation as a technical partner, With gasol Foundation as a healthy ally, And with the Aquasevice suppliers, Group Highway, Fernández Global Fruit Group, Occident, IFA Group, Indya, Gravity Wave, the Ministry of the Generalitat of Catalonia, AC Scholarships Agency and Elite Sports Academy.
