I want to thank my dear friend and Coach Afonso Maia.
I remember when I was a little boy my dream was to be a soccer player and one afternoon I was playing basketball for fun with my friends when Coach Afonso approached me and asked me if I wanted to play basketball for his team Grupo Desportivo Basquete de Leca (GDBL). I had no idea what basketball was all about but at that moment I said, "yes" to be polite, but deep inside I was thinking not to show up. I thought basketball was a “girls” sport. I remember thinking, as I went home, for some reason that man took my heart with his smile, kindness, calm personality and I decided to show up and try it.

During my first practice, I was terrible, but Coach Afonso was motivating me, patient and encouraged me to continue and I was very sure he was the right person to help me develop.

Coach Afonso came to my home and asked my father for permission to play. My father was very happy to know the club wanted me and it was that day that I felt basketball was going to be a part of my life for a long time.

Over the course of my basketball, Coach Afonso, tolerated my bad behavior and also gave me calm polite advice on how to control my emotions.

Today I am a basketball coach, and when I think about how I arrived at this point in my life, in my career, I remember that day in Leca, when Coach Afonso turned my life around. I remember and respect my first Coach and I don’t think Coaches like him exist very often. Coach Afonso volunteered his time and heart to make sure the players were happy and satisfied with the club. He brought with him love, motivation, respect for others and this is what basketball was all about with the GDBL.

I want to thank him so much for believing in me and I am thankful to have found this wonderful friend that I will never forget.

Today Coach Afonso spends his time alone fishing. I am sure one day I will show at the beach to surprise him with my own fishing pole and I hope to catch the biggest ROBALO ever then I will give it to him as a present.
I wish him happiness, joy and peace.

Also, I would like to thank these Coaches from GDBL. They were outstanding with all of us players, they volunteered their time, transportation, and were very patient with all of us.

• Antonio Lima
• Lello (Antonio Rocha Costa)
• Antonio Barros
• Joaquim Maganinho
• Artur Oliveira
• Claudio Gomes