For any aspiring young reporter, the chance to cover a global event is always the pinnacle of their ambitions. So, when the opportunity arose to embark on a tour to Spain, it was nothing short of a dream come true.From the bustling streets of Barcelona to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean Sea, my stay in the Spanish nation was not just a professional assignment but a personal experience with all the ingredients of awe, discovery, and self-reflection.##NAJAVA_MECA_8010129##Join me as I recount the highlights and key takeaways from my 10-day unforgettable journey through España.I accompanied the Talanta Hela U19 boys’ and girls’ teams to the Spanish City, where they performed well in the 15th edition of the Costa Daurada Cup. The boys won the tournament after defeating Usurbil FT 3-0, while the girls came in second after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Sporting de Portugal in a match that was decided on post-match penalties after ending 1-1 in regular time.They later engaged in friendly matches and post-training recovery sessions. The key highlight, however, was watching a live La Liga match pitting Barcelona against Las Palmas.EXPERIENCE AT THE ESTADI OLÍMPIC LLUÍS COMPANYSMy Saturday (April 30) ended with a trip to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, the temporary home of FC Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga. Despite the rainy weather, watching players like Lewandowski and Raphinha play live is an unforgettable experience.Hours before the match, the official Barcelona merchandise shops were bustling with activity as fans flocked in droves to stock up on their team’s merchandise. From scarves adorned with the team’s colours to jerseys, shorts, balls, pens, and even toys, the fans were not left behind.Even a simple pen branded in the team’s colours meant so much for the club’s revenue.At the same time, I observed that cheap jerseys are a loss for any club. Clubs should have designated merchandise shops to prevent the influx of fake jerseys. A quality Barcelona jersey went for 131 euros, approximately Ksh20,000.Purchasing tickets online for the Barcelona match was a seamless experience. As we entered the stadium, security personnel swiftly scanned the digital tickets displayed on our phones, ensuring smooth and hassle-free access.Notably, each ticket indicated our designated seat number, significantly reducing the risk of commotion and confusion within the stadium.Despite the large crowd, the movement to and from the stadium remained remarkably organized, with stewards diligently overseeing the proceedings.SIMPLE, STANDARD GROUNDSThe trip offered an intelligent revelation regarding the essence of a basic, standard training ground. Contrary to the conventional image of long-storey buildings and elaborate facilities, I discovered that the true essence lies in simplicity and functionality.A standard training ground, as exemplified during my travels, thrives on the fundamentals, which include sufficient lighting to illuminate every practice session, ever-green grass providing a conducive playing surface, quality substitute and trainer benches, and the presence of an electronic scoreboard to track progress.Camp Joliu, Futbol Salou Stadium, Nàstic Training Grounds, and the Nàstic Stadium are good examples of such simple but standard facilities.THE ROLE OF PARENTSAccording to research, parents can help by contributing to their children’s initial sports involvement and providing concrete and emotional support throughout their children’s sports careers. Parental involvement has been linked to several factors associated with sports participation, including child enjoyment and enthusiasm, autonomy, and self-perception of sports skills. Parents are thus crucial in assisting a child to achieve the status of ‘expert’ in any field of sport.Parents turned up in large numbers during the Costa Daurada Cup, and the parking lot was filled as they cheered on their children. They also carried banners and sang songs of praise to their children’s teams which also mocked the opponents, bringing the Futbol Salou Stadium to a standstill.STARTING KIDS EARLYThe touching sight of young children playing sports with such passion and battling it out to win on the field got to me. Seeing their zeal and willpower at such a young age was heartwarming.Through my interactions with coaches, I understood the crucial role that early competition plays in forming these young athletes’ character and helping them acquire lifelong traits like resilience, sportsmanship, and teamwork.IMPORTANCE OF FUNCTIONAL ACADEMIESSports academies play a pivotal role in nurturing talent from the grassroots level upwards. Deliberate and functional academies are the lifeblood of a nation’s sporting prowess.Through structured programs, expert coaching, and state-of-the-art facilities, these academies provide aspiring sportspeople with the tools and support necessary to hone their skills and reach their full potential. The academies also organize competitions to expose their youngsters, in turn giving them invaluable experiences.KPA men and KPC women teams crowned champions of the KPC@50 volleyball extravaganzaNEED FOR PROFESSIONAL OFFICIATINGThe country’s emphasis on professional officiating at all competition levels, from neighborhood games to professional league matches, was one feature that particularly stood out. The level of officiating and the dedication to fair play never wavered.It was clear that Spain places a high value on the ability of officials to maintain the integrity of the game, raising the standard and legitimacy of the country’s sports in general.IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION FOR PLAYERSThe nation has an all-encompassing approach to athlete development, which goes beyond intense physical training. It includes a tailored nutrition plan for sportspeople. From professional teams to youth academies, there was a deliberate attempt to give sportspeople wholesome and well-balanced meals catered to their dietary requirements.INCREASED AGE-GRADE TOURNAMENTSSpain boasts a rich calendar of events for kids, offering them the chance to further develop their skills and deepen their passion for sports.From summer showcases to winter championships, there was a tournament for every season, ensuring that young players had continuous exposure to competitive play and the chance to test their abilities against peers from across the country, creating a vibrant sports culture from a young age.Rising Star: Chrispine Erambo reflects on national team debut
