More than two hundred athletes from 16 municipalities in the north of Portugal and Galicia will be heading to Famalicão on 23 September to take part in the first edition of the Northwest Peninsular Atlantic Axis DI (Intellectual Development) Boccia Tournament, an initiative that will take place at the Vale São Cosme Municipal Pavilion.
The presentation of the first edition of the cross-border tournament took place this morning in the Town Hall of Vila Nova de Famalicão with the presence of the Secretary of the Atlantic Axis of the Northwest Peninsula, Xoán Vázquez Mao, and the Councillor for Sport of Vila Nova de Famalicão Town Hall, Pedro Oliveira.
"Famalicão was the first municipality to propose [to the Atlantic Axis] something linked to Adapted Sports," said Xoán Vázquez Mao, explaining that the institution he leads chose the municipality of Famalicão to host the tournament, not because the proposal came from it, but because it is a municipality that "has credibility, has capacity", recalling that they are supporting Famalicão's bid to become the European City of Sport 2025.
"I'm sure this tournament will stay in Famalicão permanently," said the Secretary.
The Councillor for Sport, meanwhile, recalled that the municipality has endeavoured to create conditions so that "everyone has the opportunity to practise sport", regardless of their age, physical/intellectual condition or social background.
"There is a lot of work being done here at municipal level in terms of adapted sport, which led us to present this proposal that was accepted by the Atlantic Axis," he emphasised, expressing his gratitude for the vote of confidence placed in the municipality of Famalicense.
"We've been following all the progress and all the amazing work in favour of sport in general, but especially adapted sport, carried out in Famalicão since the beginning," said Carlos Vasconcelos, from the National Association of Sport for Intellectual Development (ANDDI), who expressed his delight at "being able to work with Famalicão" on this event.
It should be noted that, in addition to the competitive component, the Eixo Atlântico DI Boccia Tournament, which takes place on 23 September, also includes accredited training for teachers and coaches of adapted sports, and a circuit of sports activities, in which participating athletes will be able to try out other disciplines, such as goalball, football, athletics, tennis, badminton and dance.
The Eixo Atlântico DI Boccia Tournament is a pioneering initiative in the region, organised by the Municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão and the Eixo Atlântico do Noroeste Peninsular, with the collaboration of ANDDI - Portugal and funding from the Interreg Spain-Portugal cooperation programme, co-financed by the European Union.