The centenary was until Friday – the day Olhanense beat Braga 2-1 away – but the highlight of the celebrations only took place a day later: the President of the Republic Cavaco Silva was the guest of honor to inaugurate a remodeled room of trophies and participate in the club's gala dinner.
Born in the Algarve, the Head of State – and honorary member of the club – recalled during the dinner held at the Hotel Real Marina the beginning of his emotional connection to the club in Olhão.
“Many have asked me why I am fond of Olhanense. It's a charm that has been around for more than half a century and dates back to my youth, when I was on vacation in Ilha da Armona. I built sympathy for the club later at the Commercial and Industrial School of Faro, which several young people from this city used to attend”, said Cavaco Silva, revealing that he was also a schoolmate of several athletes from the Olhão club.
Highlighting “the immense pride in being present on a very special day for the municipality of Olhão and for the region”, the Head of State praised the work developed in the rubronegro emblem, both in terms of training athletes and men, and “the meaning mission” by the president of Olhanense, Isidoro Sousa.
In addition to the President of the Republic, Mário Figueiredo, president of the League of Clubs, was also present, highlighting the “exemplary case of Olhanense” in the panorama of national football in a difficult situation to outline an optimistic vision for professional football in Portugal.
“Olhanense is a club that provides a great service to the community. Address to Isidoro Sousa, who has so dignifiedly led the club's destinies, with courage and perseverance to face with determination all future challenges. It's proof that Olhanense lives success with a sustainable future”, said Figueiredo.
“Olhanense has a history that fills these people with pride and lives a present made of work and success, with a view to a future that is expected to be sustained and auspicious”, concluded the president of the League of Clubs.
The president of the Portuguese Football Federation Fernando Gomes was also present, having heard Cavaco Silva wish the national team good luck for the next European championship in Poland and Ukraine, and took the opportunity to qualify “Olhanense as a flag of the Algarve region”.
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