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Posted by
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September 22, 2015 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C - The football world is essentially one big giant family. No matter where players go, who they play against or come across. They have an appreciation and respect level for opposition competitors. The response from the Whitecaps organization, Mynor and Marta Campos, and club supporters has been outstanding for injured CD Olimpia player Romell Quioto. The 24 year-old sustained a fractured rib and a collapsed lung and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher following a mid-air collision with Whitecaps keeper Paolo Tornaghi and both Vancouver centre-backs on Wednesday, September 16.
After the final whistle has gone, players shake hands, offer a pat on the back and words of encouragement. The health and continued success of every player is what comes first. Nobody wants to see anyone seriously hurt. Coach Carl Robinson is a big believer of having a strong football family mentality and will make sure the Whitecaps do everything they can to help Quioto recover.
"Without a doubt. At the end of the day, it's a game and you play, you're competitive and you want to win and do everything you can to win. After the games done, were all in the same boat. All the players are in the same boat. They're looking after each other and there's that competitive edge. We'll do everything we can to look after him and help him on his road to recovery."
Anytime a player is down on the pitch as a teammate, opposing player, fan, and journalist. You don't know how serious or even if that particular player is injured and in need of medical help. Quioto had to undergo emergency surgery at Vancouver General Hospital.
Paolo Tornaghi was informed of what had transpired and visited Quioto in hospital on Friday. The list of well wishers also included Curva Collective's Zachary Meisenheimer and photographer Mynor Campos.
The following day, Quioto was released from hospital and taken in by Campos and his wife Marta. The Campos family has long helped Latin American players acclimatize to life in Vancouver. Quioto will be staying at the Campos family home for at least two weeks as he slowly recovers and gains his full health.
The former Wisła Kraków player was at Vancouver Whitecaps practice on Monday and talked about what was going through his mind when he was down on the pitch in the 61' minute.
"It was so severe for me and I thought I was never going to be able to play again. I hope to recover very soon because that's what I love to do."
Being in an unknown country, in a hospital without the means to contact your family would be a nightmare scenario for anybody. To help with his recovery, Mynor was able to get a TELUS SIM card to help Quioto keep in touch with his family and club team in Honduras.
"Yes, I talk to them every day and they know that I'm doing better in my recovery."
Quioto is grateful for the generosity, kindness, and tremendous hospitality from Mynor and Marta.
"I'm blessed for their help and that's what is making me feel better."
Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino and BC Place are two polar opposite stadiums. While the Whitecaps play in a state of the art facility that has hosted Olympic ceremonies and World Cup matches, the home of CD Olimpia isn't quite the same. Quioto was in awe when touring the Whitecaps training pitch and facilities.
"Yeah, I'm feeling better and this is like a privilege to me to be able to share some of these moments with the Whitecaps players."
In all his years involved in the beautiful game, Carl Robinson has seen his share of injuries. Players can suffer gruesome injuries at any time. Manchester United's Luke Shaw was the latest casualty of a tackle that resulted in a broken leg. Robinson has not seen anything similar to what happened to Quioto, but he pledges that the Whitecaps will take good care of him while he recovers.
"Not that type of injury, I've seen serious injuries before, but obviously he was a little bit banged up on Wednesday. He's back today which is good and we'll do everything as a football club to help him and get him back to full health. I know he's here for two weeks. He can come into our building and use our facilities and we'll look after him until he gets back to full health."
The Vancouver Whitecaps will travel to Honduras to take on CD Olimpia on Thursday, October 22 in CONCACAF Champions League play. It is not yet known if Romell Quioto will be fit to play in that match or if he will be healthy enough to travel back to his native country by then.
The Whitecaps organization always leads by example and along with the Campos family, Romell Quioto is in good hands in Vancouver.
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