Titans – Club Deportivo Especiales de Puerto Peñasco

Yes that is a mouthful! I recently have had several conversations with Frank Bercovich who has helped me with translating and other liaison tasks with various groups in the community. During those activities I have learned that Frank is now the Coordinador del DeporteParalímpico Municipal (City Coordinator of Disabled Sports). This is a new venture in the City of Puerto Peñasco. Frank is very proud of this beginning with the local club or team called the Titans. Paralímpico is a combination of the two groups that you may know Special Olympics in the United States and Paralympics which are international. In Mexico Paralímpico includes both physically and mentally challenged individuals and has divisions for youth and adult participants.

Frank in his office at the City Gymnasium

As a founding member of the Rolling Rockies, the Puerto Peñasco wheelchair basketball team, Frank became interested in seeing more mentally and physically challenged individuals participate in sports. He has also helped me with other efforts to be of service to this segment of our community.

Coordination

The effort to organize and fund this activity has been difficult. It seems that each City does it differently. The 1999 law in Mexico that created this effort made DIF the responsible agency but in many cities, Puerto Peñasco included, it is now under the Municipal Sports Institute. However, as is always true, funding is still a problem. Notwithstanding the budget and coordination problems, our City has had its first two competitors make it to the national event.

Our Athletes

Since Puerto Peñasco is not large enough for its own event, our athletes must compete at the State level as a first step. Jose Pino, the coach for our Titans, coached Ivan Gamvino and Ricardo Marquez-Ramirez through the State of Sonora competition and on to the Nationals in Cuernavaca. Each year, the Nationals are held in a different City. Ivan won a bronze medal in indoor soccer. In 5 games he scored 13 goals and was the Sonoran Team Captain. Ricardo placed 4th in the javelin. He now plans to become proficient in shot put and disc for the next competition. Last year Ivan went to the Nationals in long jump and plans to compete next year with that, javelin and soccer.

Congratulations to our Titans – Coach Jose, Athletes Ivan and Ricardo

This and That

Well folks, our paradise is getting a little warm and many residents leave for cooler climates. Many local businesses go on summer schedules. A few changes that I know about: This and That Segunda is closed until October, Balboa’s Restaurant is closed until October, Burrito Express closes at 3:00p.m., instead of 5:00p.m. There are many more changes in hours and summer closures, so you might want to check before heading out to a particular shop or restaurant.

Pro-Alliance has moved to Melanie Plaza on Fremont, first office on your right on first floor. It is a great location with good parking and no steps. Sun Valley Business Services has moved to Benito Juarez. I haven’t been there yet, so give them a call for directions to the new location (383-8891).

I’m off to the mountains of Arizona. See ya’all in the fall! If I can meet the deadline for the November issue, I’ll write an article about my trip to Argentina, Brazil and Chile.