The Council of Ministers of Spain granted this Tuesday the nationality of that country to the Cuban Emmanuel Reyes Pla and the Slovak water polo player, Martin Famera, with a view to signing them for the national team, reports the sports newspaper BRAND.
Both the Cuban and the Slovakian have the "talent (...) endorsed not only by their professional career but by their respective federations, which consider that their inclusion in the men's national water polo and boxing teams can mean success in international competitions." in which our country participates, especially in this year that is Olympic", points out the Council of Ministers.
Reyes Pla is 27 years old and originally from Havana. He emigrated to Spain through Russia, where he was hidden for six months until he was able to reach A Coruña, where his father, grandmother and uncle live.
According to what he told the newspaper AS, emigrated because in Cuba they bet on Eryslandy Savón and "in the National Team they did not want me to change, they did everything possible to make me lose and throw me out, but I did my best and in the National I only lost in the final against Savón – who won bronze in Rio – I gave a shot of authority, but I knew I would be in their shadow. I needed to find a place where they would bet on me.
Once in Spain, after his "agonizing" time in Russia that included up to three weeks in an apartment for fear of the police, he contacted the national coach, Rafa Lozano, who opted for him.
"I came to Spain because they always behaved well with my family and I wanted to defend their colors. They bet on me and I will repay them. I am not an Olympian for money, but for the glory of being champion," he told AS.
At the moment, Reyes Pla could only compete for Spain in some events due to lack of nationality. But in the 11 he has not lost any.
This Cuban is one of Spain's "secret assets" for Tokyo 2020 and that is why the government granted him nationality by letter of nature through a royal decree.
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