The flag for the Eixo Atlântico Games was handed over yesterday to the municipalities of Famalicão and Braga, which will be organising the 15th edition of the initiative, which runs from 30 June to 5 July.
The mayor of Vila Nova de Famalicão, Mário Passos, and the vice-mayor of Braga, were joined by the councillor for sport of the municipality of Maia, Hernâni Ribeiro, who organised the last edition in 2022, and the secretary general of the Atlantic Axis, Xoán Mao, and the vice-mayor of Braga, Sameiro Araújo, received the flag of the Atlantic Axis Games, in a handover that took place in the Town Hall of Famalicão, in the presence of dozens of partners from the Atlantic Axis of the Northwest Peninsula.
"It's another opportunity to foster closer ties between young people from the different Eixo Atlântico municipalities and a practical demonstration of our installed capacity. I believe it will put Famalicão on the radar of major sporting events," said the mayor of Famalicão.
Mário Passos expressed his gratitude for the vote of confidence shown by the Eixo Atlântico in organising this edition of the Games, which he hopes "will motivate other young people to take up sport, something so important for well-being and quality of life".
Xoán Mao mentioned, "Famalicão is a lively city, markedly entrepreneurial (...) but which also has social, cultural and sporting policies so that its people have a quality of life".
The secretary general of the Eixo Atlântico also said that Famalicão and Braga are "two territories that have a lot in common", believing that the partnership between the two municipalities will be successful.
"With Famalicão's ability to organise major events, it's a partnership that will be very successful," said Sameiro Araújo. "The conditions are in place for these 15th Atlantic Axis Games to break participation records and we're looking forward to a great day," he commented.
The Eixo Atlântico Games is a cross-border sporting event that takes place every two years, aimed at young athletes from the municipalities of northern Portugal and Galicia that make up the Eixo Atlântico. The 15th edition is jointly organised by the municipalities of Vila Nova de Famalicão and Braga and takes place from 30 June to 5 July in both territories. The event encompasses six sports, including individual adapted sports, and thousands of young athletes and coaches are expected. Currently, 2,300 athletes have registered for this edition.