Viviana Busso, sand basketball coordinator of the Women’s Maxibasketball Federation of Argentina, spoke with Ovación: “Our basketball at the María Grande hot springs was a complete success. Saturday was a deluge, it rained in the area and it was impossible to play outdoors, but thanks to the support of the people of María Grande, the Municipality, Termas and the María Grande Athletic Club who lent us the facilities, we were able to develop, with the basketball arena rules, the games, but inside the gym. We changed sand for the sports floor”, she narrated and then added: “All the teams accepted the change and it was played beautifully. We had a great day despite the rain. Sunday dawned cloudy, but we took the risk and I believe that God saw our effort and desire and magically, against all odds, the sun came out in the afternoon so the people were delighted because they were able to enjoy the hot springs, which was what we wanted, which enjoy the outdoors since that was promoted with sand basketball, open air and nature. It was possible to play in the sand and the tournament was wonderful. All the participants left happy as they played and had fun beyond the results”.
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Regarding how the calendar for this discipline continues, Vivi said: “Arena basketball continues with many projects and this type of tournament gives people impetus and when they live it they really enjoy it so much that they want to continue. The next venues granted are already. On April 2 and 3 in Saladas, Corrientes. We had girls from this province and they made the presentation. And on April 9 and 10 it is also played in Rosario. We also had kids from there and we are going to play at the Balneario La Florida. They are the two venues formed and we are eager to participate. Those who went to María Grande will do so and surely there will be others who will fall in love. They are two beautiful places to go,” he said and continued: “I want to clarify that with the Saladas tournament the 2022 tournament already begins there because the María Grande final was in 2021, which could not be done in a timely manner due to a resurgence of Covid that was at the time. So this was the end of 2021 and now we start 2022 with many projects and many venues to play. We had people from San Rafael Mendoza who took the project and wanting to do it in September, Puerto Madryn has already confirmed a date for us in November. They keep adding up and we have Gualeguaychú for April so luckily everyone wants to play sand basketball”.
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In addition to the 2022 calendar, there is a project, more than interesting, that is eagerly pursued from the basketball arena. “We are also trying and chatting with the people from the Undersecretary of the Nation to present the project that sand basketball can be played within the Evita National Games, which this year are in Mar de Ajó. There are seven sports and we want the eighth to be arena basketball. We are very excited about that project.”
