Photos: Sergio Betancort
The veteran players of Unión Deportiva Lanzarote paid a heartfelt tribute to Maykel Padrón, who recently passed away. Initially, they had organized a triangular tournament where SCD Chejelipes from La Gomera, AFV from Guatiza, and UDV Lanzarote were scheduled to participate last Saturday afternoon at the Tahíche football field, but it was reduced to a single match between the Lanzarote teams as the Gomera team could not travel to the island due to bad weather.
At 6:00 PM, the "Recognition to Maykel Padrón" began inside the bar-cafeteria of the Tahíche football field due to the rain falling at that moment. Maykel Padrón's family entered the facilities through an honor guard formed by the players of the two participating teams and 5 players from the Gomera team who were able to travel to Lanzarote in advance.
Once the family was situated in the place reserved for them, they received the gifts that the veteran organizers of Unión Deportiva Lanzarote had so lovingly prepared for his parents, wife, children, and siblings. Commemorative plaques, bouquets of flowers, and shirts were received while everyone present could barely contain the emotion that was present during the event. Applause mingled with the tears of the family members and teammates of the recently deceased player.
After the presentation of gifts, a minute of silence was observed, whistled and timed by the referee Pedro Hernández Álvarez, and then the chords of some folías were heard, played and sung by some friends who also joined the recognition. The lyrics of the songs were directed to Maykel, being interrupted by the applause of the public. With the words of gratitude from the president of the organizing team, the Veterans of Unión Deportiva Lanzarote, Pedro Cruz, the recognition of the colleague Maykel Padrón Arbelo was concluded.
Following this, the friendly match between the AFV teams from Guatiza and UDV Lanzarote began, which ended with the following result: Lanzarote 1, Guatiza 4. With the presentation of commemorative plaques to the participating teams, the end of a very emotional day dedicated to the memory of the young player, Maykel Padrón, was reached.
