Portimão’s title of ‘European City of Sport 2019’ has been officially recognised as a project of “national interest” by the Portuguese government.
The announcement was made in the state newspaper Diário da República.
In the article, the government stresses that there are “countless organisations and associations in Portimão linked to over 60 sports which organise and promote sports activities on a regular basis, involving thousands of people in the world of sports and physical activity”.
Also highlighted are the “wide range of sports events” that take place in Portimão, which include professional and amateur competitions and training events which span several ages and encourage a comradery “which is of great value to the sports system”.
The article – signed by the Secretary of State of Youth and Sports, João Paulo Rebelo – identified four key goals of the initiative: to encourage the people of Portimão to be “more active”; to open up sports facilities in the municipality to everyone; to ensure that the foundation of sports activities are “quality and excellence” and to make sports become a “true tourism product” in Portimão.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, Portimão council says that the “numbers speak for themselves.”
During the first six months of Portimão’s run as a ‘European City of Sport’, Portimão has hosted 315 sports activities involving 52,230 people – more than 40,000 above what was expected for the whole year.
The ‘European City of Sport’ title was awarded to Portimão last year by ACES Europe, which considers the town to be “an example to follow in the promotion of sports for all”.
Among the most anticipated sports events taking place in the town this month are Portimonense’s Liga NOS debut against Belenenses on Friday (August 9) as well as the International Masters Futsal, which will be held between August 22 and 25 and feature four of the world’s best futsal teams – Benfica, Sporting, Inter Movistar and Kairat Almaty.
