Alicante Homeless Shelter Sports Day: Promoting Health and Community Through Physical Activity

2024-05-09 11:39:36

One more year, the Alicante Homeless Shelter (CAI), owned by the municipality, managed and directed by the Health and Community Foundation (FSC), has opened its doors to the city of Alicante to enjoy a cohabitation day , focused on physical exercise. and sport as one of the fundamental pillars to maintain a healthy life, as well as physical and emotional well-being. The meeting was once again a point of reference for various entities and groups. Around 150 people took part in the scheduled activities, which emphasized the good atmosphere and cooperation of all the attendees and participants of the event.

This time, we chose innovation and integrated and collaborative sport, and the great new thing was the celebration of the First Run-Walk Marathon, where the most athletic participants to people with functional diversity were able to enjoy a trip on the streets . the city.

The most notable sporting activity of the day was an adapted karate Master Class, led by Juan Almiñana, 4th black belt, karate teacher, and CAI professional for more than twenty years. The session ended with an exhibition of this type of Japanese fighting by the participants of the center’s various programs, which train weekly about Juan’s good work. Likewise, attendees were able to enjoy an adapted cardiobox session, prepared and led by a group of CAI residents.

A very special guest at the opening of the conference was Kiko Martínez, a boxer from Elche and a world boxing icon who has four world champion titles. With great kindness and humility, Kiko shared his life experiences, talked about how sport has helped him progress in his personal and professional life and, above all, expressed the importance of daily work and effort to achieve what is intended is not a matter of luck to achieve something, but work, perseverance and perseverance. He was asked many questions from the audience and he answered with honesty and the wisdom of life.

After Kiko’s presentation, Juan Almiñana took the stage, sharing with us his experience of karate, and explaining how this sport has affected his life and work. Juan was accompanied by a CAI participant, who told us about how this sport is helping him in his recovery process and in his daily life. Karate is a fundamental activity at the CAI for users in their recovery process; it has been taught for almost two years every Friday evening at the service.

Among the benefits of homelessness is physical development: the training involves movements that strengthen the body, improve flexibility and increase cardiovascular endurance. This can help them improve their physical health and general well-being.

Also, self-defense: karate teaches them effective self-defense techniques that will help them defend themselves in dangerous situations on the street; Discipline and self-control: Emphasis is placed on mental discipline and emotional self-control, which helps homeless people develop skills to manage stress and control their impulses.

Likewise, confidence and self-esteem stand out as beneficiaries; belonging, as well as focus and concentration. In this sense, karate can offer homeless people positive structure, a sense of purpose and a path to personal empowerment and an improved quality of life, as they tell us from the center.

Continuing the XXI CAI Alicante Sports Days, to end the morning, an open-air workshop was offered, in which participants, professionals and volunteers from the various entities that attended the day, shared opinions and experiences in a space more relaxed. On the other hand, they decided to participate again in future activities organized by the various entities, generating networking and support among all.

In short, a full day of activities, testimonies and emotions was enjoyed, in which we tried, once again, to share and promote social relations within and outside the service, as well as encouraging the strengthening of the bond and the feeling of rootedness . to the community, through sport, for the great benefits it brings among the participants of the Alicante Shelter for Homeless People.