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Thanks to the association “Manos Amigas-Esku Lagunak,” the Euzko Txokoa Basque Club in Gral. Acha, La Pampa, is participating in the National Special Olympics in soccer, track and swimming.  The colors of the Ikurriña have taken their places various times on the podium, especially thanks to swimmers, Santiago Perez and Anabela Romero, who took first and third places in free style and the breaststroke respectively.

General Acha, Argetnina.   The Euzko Txokoa Basque club has a large number of sports activities that it carries out as Ce.Ri.Va (Centro Rincón Vasco). Since last year, the club has opened its doors to the Association Esku Lagunak that aims to integrate and train persons with different challenges in various sports.

With the help of Professor Walter Mendoza, soccer, track and swimming teams qualified for the Special Olympics, competing nationally in various parts of the country.  In the case of the National Swimming competition held in May, Marco Juarez (Cordoba), representatives from Euzko Txoko took to the podium in two categories: Santiago Perez took first in the 25 meter free-style, and Anabela Romero placed third in the 50 meter breaststroke.

Good news didn’t stop there since the Esku Lagunak and the Ce.Ri.Va will also be the site of the provincial soccer tournament in Aguust, also part of the Special Olympics.  Mendoza told EsukalKultura.com that they are expecting some 100 youth from various cities.

“Esku Lagunak works with children with various challenges, fifteen years of age and older.  Once kids are out of school, it is harder for them to continue training or participate in activities.  This is why these programs are provided, and why we believe that with patience, time and discipline that they can achieve whatever they put their minds to,” the coach said.

Esku Lagunak is a non-profit association that does not receive any kind of subsidy and works with the small contributions made by those close to the participating athletes.

More photos here: Esku Lagunak in General Acha