MIAMI, United States. – Sports journalist Ernesto Amaya Esquivel regretted this Monday that, despite being a star of Cuban sport, former baseball player and director Alfonso Urquiola has not received a modern vehicle from the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) like other prominent figures on the Island.
Amaya Esquivel said that Urquiola’s car, a Lada that was more than 25 years old, is currently in poor condition. She also recalled that, in recent times, the INDER has delivered and renovated cars to various figures of Cuban sportboth active athletes and sporting glories.
“I am publishing this without his consent, but I hope that the networks will help to spread the message to those who, by ‘omission’, have forgotten the name of a great man like Urquiola, who has brought so much glory to Pinar del Río and Cuba,” said Amaya Esquivel.
Alfonso Urquiola was a key figure in the Vegueros de Pinar del Río team during the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s, and represented Cuba in multiple international competitions, such as World Championships, Intercontinental Cups, Pan American and Central American Games.
As a manager, his legacy includes the direction of three championship teams in National Series (97-98, 2010-11 and 2013-14), the victory in the 2015 Caribbean Series and his leadership in the confrontation between the Cuban team and the Baltimore Orioles.
Amaya Esquivel also mentioned that in Pinar del Río there are other sports figures who face similar problems, such as Félix Pino, Juan Carlos Oliva and the family of the late Reinaldo Costa, who was hoping to receive a car before he died.
Almost a year ago, in October 2023, the Cuban regime delivered a total of 17 cars to Cuban coaches and athletes with “relevant results.” According to the note published by the media HITThe winners were mostly retired athletes, although, “exceptionally,” active athletes and coaches “with exemplary careers” were included.
According to José Cedeño, Director General of Physical Education and Sport for All, 30 retired and active Olympic and Paralympic medallists and world championships were analysed on that occasion, and 17 of them were chosen.
Although the type of car was not specified in any case, the list of winners included Marielena Jiménez Pérez, world bronze medalist in basketball; Ana Ibis Jiménez Pérez, Paralympic champion; and Benito P. Enriquez Gómez, fencing coach.
Also present were Juan Arturo Molina González, wrestling coach; Germán Mesa Fresneda, baseball legend and Olympic champion; Rodolfo Falcón Cabrera, Olympic runner-up in swimming; and Alfredo Duvergel Adam, Olympic boxing medalist.
