For the ninth year in a row, Vila Nova de Famalicão has once again been recognised as a ‘Sports Friendly Municipality’, a distinction that highlights municipal investments and policies in favour of physical activity and sports development. The prize was awarded at the XXV Seminar of Sports Friendly Municipalities, held between 27 and 30 May in Funchal, Madeira.

The award was received by Vila Nova de Famalicão City Council's Sports Councillor, Pedro Oliveira, who underlined the excellence of the municipality's sports programmes and policies, saying that ‘they have continually contributed to the well-being, health and quality of life of the people of Famalicão’. ‘It's a distinction that makes us proud and demonstrates that Famalicão has effective and efficient municipal management when it comes to sport,’ he added.

The award, given by the Social City platform, honours Portuguese municipalities that develop good practices in promoting regular physical activity, inclusion, technical training and sustainability in sport, and includes moments of sharing and technical training between the distinguished territories.

Under the slogan ‘Active Cities | Smart Cities’, this year's edition of the XXV Friends of Sport Seminar was attended by dozens of representatives from Portuguese municipalities and was marked by the public recognition of Solidarity Municipalities, Friends of Sport Municipalities and Friends of Tourism and Culture Municipalities.