Fenerbahce coach Roberto Iniguez and his fatherly pride

NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) - One of the many beauties of being a sports writer is that you sometimes get a wonderful insight into something quite different and very personal.

I was lucky enough to notice a tweet earlier this month sent by @Robertoih5 aka Roberto Iniguez, the reigning EuroLeague Women champion coach, now at Fenerbahce.

He was publicly expressing his pride at his teenage son making his senior debut for Villarreal CF as the football club continues its quest to gain promotion and a return back to the top flight of Spanish football.

From the moment I saw the tweet, I was fascinated as to the dynamic between basketball coach (and former pro player) father and his football playing son.

“Obviously I'm very proud,” beamed Iniguez.

“My son has been playing since he was 10 years old at Villarreal CF, and it’s very nice to see your own child progress and evolve each season.

“He was called up during previous matches with the first team, even last year in European club competition, but was not lucky enough to be handed a debut.

“Now, at the age of 18 years old, he is working as a player with the first team, and the opportunity has finally come.

He continued: “For me, the most important thing is that my son does what he loves.

“As a parent, I support and help him in any way I can - the only thing I ask him is to work day by day doing everything with heart.

“I was a professional basketball player and now a coach, and always I tried to convey him the values and principles of a good sportsmanship.”

So, does dad get involved in giving advice on the football front, and is it better Pablo isn’t a basketball player?

“Football? I have no idea - or at least that's what he claims,” laughed Iniguez.

“We have mainly talked a lot about attitude, perseverance, effort, respect and to be humble and to be a nice guy.

“So, in terms of whether it is better than Pablo plays soccer? Sincerely, yes!

“Firstly, because we now have two different sports to discuss at home, and secondly, because if he was a basketball player, it would be hard to put up with me - I'd just be far too heavy on him!”

Whilst Iniguez may actually be relieved he doesn’t have one more pro basketball player to contend with, he did admit that initially, the temptation to try and steer his son towards the court was too much to resist.

He admitted: “Yes, I took my son to shoot and dribble when he was very young to a basket near where we resided.

“However, I quickly realised that what he liked to do was to play football.

“One day, when I went to pick him up at school when he was eight years old, I arrived a few minutes early and when I looked into the school yard, I saw Pablo playing football and enjoying it so much - absolutely drenched in sweat.

“It was then I realised that football was his sport.”

Still, whilst the sports may be different, the bond is very strong and the shared values are what lie at the heart of the relationship as football and basketball cross over into family life.

“Our relationship has always been very close - we are very close,” said Iniguez.

“Now that he is becoming more mature, we talk more about his coach and my players, but my son knows very well that you should always respect the work of everyone.

“He knows that working as a coach is not easy.

“On the other hand, when one of us has a problem, we always say the same thing - something we have said for several years: Always forward, always positive, always learning!”

Iniguez purposefully spells it out in capital letters, to re-enforce this shared mantra, or perhaps more accurately, a verbal contract between father and son, a verbal contract between a coach and a player. Whatever way you look at it, it’s hard to disagree with the sentiment because it makes sense.

“I think now we both learn from each other, and as the years pass, I recognise that so many times, I am amazed by his ability to analyse things” adds the play-caller.

Much of his time is now spent geographically separated from his homeland and of course, from Pablo. So, perhaps it’s a blessing that due to the rigorous demands of coaching in the white-hot atmosphere of Istanbul, he has plenty work of his own to focus on other than worrying about the progress of his boy.

“Yes, my life in Fenerbahce is work, and then more work” he confirmed.

“I have barely had time to practice being a tourist, but I can’t complain since I am at a great club.

“I am fortunate to belong to it because it has excellent facilities and is a fantastic situation.

“Yes, it’s true that it sometimes feels so far from the people you love, but I've had some family visits and during Christmas, a certain football player will visit for a few days.

“Everything is intense here. I don't need pressure because I'm very hard and demanding on myself.

“Our various competitions do not allow any relaxation. I especially feel very involved and committed to the club, the nice people and their philosophy.”

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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