Ayesa Digital helps fulfil the “dream of basketball” for people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities

A group of employees joins Saski Amets on the court, with the support of Fundación Ayesa and Askatuak club.

Saski Amets (“Basket Dream” or “Dream of Basketball” in English) is a team from Gipuzkoa created several years ago under the umbrella of the Askatuak club and made up entirely of people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. Although basketball is their passion and they train regularly, there are very few similar teams in the region against whom they can play competitive matches.

A group of professionals from Ayesa Digital, with the support of Fundación Ayesa — which designed and provided the team’s sports kit — volunteered to play a match with them last Saturday, 16th, determined to support them in pursuing their dream.

Led by our colleague Lydia Rodríguez, the two teams mixed players from the outset so that everyone could play together — the best possible way to enjoy the experience, get to know one another first-hand and share in their energy and enthusiasm. In a match where the final score was the least important aspect, both players and coaches described the day as “wonderful”, and plans are already underway to arrange another gathering in the near future.

Ayesa Digital and Saski Amets share many core values, including inclusion, equality, camaraderie, teamwork, learning and personal development, among many others. Initiatives such as this help to strengthen those values even further. Moreover, leading by example is one of the best ways to inspire others and encourage more teams and companies to become actively involved in supporting people facing these and other challenges.

Representing Ayesa Digital were Lydia Rodríguez, Óscar Álvaro, Jon Ander Castellón, José María González, Sara González, Borja Llanos, Félix Mogollón, Myriam Miner, Jairo Morocho, Juncal Notario and Silvia Santos.

Representing Saski Amets were Fran Aguilera, Bittor Alzuguren, Josemi Calcerrada, Jon Fresnillo, Iker Gabriel Higueras, Javier Muñoz, Aitziber Palomero, brothers Marco and Daniel Ragnacci, Markel Rodríguez, Aitor Sorondo, and coaches/mentors Adur Rikondo and Eider Vegas.