Flor Meléndez's secret and his passion for the sport - FIBA

PANAMA (Panama) – On January 12th, 1947, in Cidra, Puerto Rico, one of the most emblematic characters of Latin American basketball was born. Flor Meléndez had a period as player, but he then became a coach and started leaving his imprint all around the world. Today, at 74 years of age, he hasn't lost his passion for coaching, not even after overcoming COVID, and he's the coach of Caballos de Coclé.

This opportunity arrived at a very special moment, a few days after returning to Panama's National Team, but also with a triumphant debut in the BCL Americas' second window: 80-79 in a thrilling match against Titanes de Barranquilla (he later lost 74-72 against Real Estelí). Caballos is part of Group A of the competition, and it has a 2-2 record. It will seek to qualify to the playoffs in the third window.

"I think the secret is the preparation you have, trying to keep up with basketball. I do things with great responsibility, both personally and professionally, and that's why one deserves opportunities. I like working where I am, and I always say I relate to basketball not because of what I've done, but because of how I've changed. The great secret is to work, and I want players to follow me down that path," said Flor Meléndez in an exclusive interview with the BCL Americas.

At 74 years old, he still has a lot to give; he's coaching Panama's National Team, Caballos de Coclé, and he even jokes about his retirement: "This opportunity came at a calm period of my life, I overcame an extenuating disease such as COVID, but I always say I'm planning on retiring at 99, 'ha!'. As long as I see I can still help the young, I'll keep working, that was my father's ambition. In Puerto Rico, I presented projects that weren't accepted, but in Panama, they did, that's why I feel up for it. My dad taught me there are two moments that you enjoy after retiring; drinking coffee and reading the newspaper, but today, I'd rather keep working. Now I know better, maybe I'm not such an aggressive coach, I'm calmer. Every night, I pray a lot and I ask God to help me."

#BCLAmericas

📍 Barranquilla, Colombia

⛹🏽‍♂️ Grupo B

🔵🔴 @titanes_baq 79 - @SelemSafar 20pts,5ast, @JuanDiegoTello1 17pts,9reb, J.#Rodriguez 17pts.

🔴⚫️ @caballoscocle 80 - E.#Oglivie 22pts,7reb, @tjader4 13pts,6ast, @RamonClemente 10pts,6reb.

📊 https://t.co/KyTwtVTKuQ pic.twitter.com/D3zPJCIp0I
— #BCLAmericas (@BCLAmericas) March 5, 2021

Meléndez has a great trajectory coaching the National Teams of Puerto Rico, Panama, Argentina, and also coaching teams from those three countries and Spain, Brazil, Venezuela, with South American titles, Pan-American medals, the Intercontinental Cup with Obras Sanitarias (the William Morris trophy) and a South American League in Vasco da Gama.

He had an amazing debut both in Caballos, defeating Titanes, and in Panama's National Team, with a 77-71 that qualified them for the 2022 AmeriCup. How does Flor see this Panamanian basketball process? "The problem I've seen is that the National Team and Caballos have little youth. We've discussed this with the managers, in order to start a young players program who should have some league under 25. There are no tournaments, no activities, and the basketball player grows by playing. That will be Panama's triumph by the time I leave. This sport is a wonderful thing, it has given me my life, my family, and the ability to travel the world. I always want to be helping the young to fulfill their dreams, and making the fans support this project."

This week, the BCL Americas will continue with its third window for Caballos, which will be local in Panama. Flor Meléndez spoke his mind about the competition: "It's a good idea for basketball in the Americas, having a league that ends in a match against a European team. Zone A has strong teams, with good reinforcements. We expect great matches."

FIBA

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