Over 2,000 people took part in what was dubbed an “unforgettable night” to end Portimão’s run as a European City of Sport in 2019.
The closing ceremony was held on Friday, December 13 at the Portimão Arena and featured the screening of a video showcasing many of the highlights of the town’s sports events held this year followed by a performance by popular Portuguese soul and funk band HMB.
Taking the stage during the event, Portimão Mayoress Isilda Gomes said that the town’s dream of becoming a European City of Sport came true and “if we are here today it is because we are winners and we showed the country and Europe that we can be the best”.
“If there were any doubts, it has been proven that Portimão’s best assets are its people, because it is not easy for a town of our size to have achieved this result,” she said, recalling that Portimão was named the ‘Best European City of Sport’ of 2019 last month.
Blind boxer Jorge Pina, who was born in Portimão and was one of the ambassadors of the initiative, called on the town to “not let this magic end so that it can continue offering sports for everyone”.
High praise also came from Gian Lupattelli – president of ACES Europe, the non-profit association based in Brussels that organises the European City of Sport initiative.
He said he was “very happy to be in this fantastic town, which is small but has a big heart and a unique mayor”.
Lupattelli also praised the “strength” of the town’s citizens which helped Portimão earn the title of Best European City of Sport, becoming the third town in Portugal to receive the prestigious seal of approval after Guimarães in 2013 and Braga last year.
The “pride, hard work and passion” of Portimão’s citizens was also praised by the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, Tiago Brandão Rodrigues.
New sports pavilion inaugurated
A few days earlier, a new sports pavilion was inaugurated in Portimão just a stone’s throw away from the town’s bustling Retail Centre.
Representing a €1.3 million investment, the complex is expected to become a major venue for sports events in the town, having already become the new home of Portimonense’s futsal team.
