The Algarve Athletics Association (AAA) and the clubs that use the Athletics Track in the Algarve capital have given their approval, albeit with some reservations, to the protocol that the municipality is preparing to sign with Sporting Clube Farense, which aims to use of that infrastructure by the club's football teams.
Last week, the AAA took a public position criticizing the Chamber's intention to move towards signing a protocol with Farense, without hearing and articulating the measure with clubs that have been using the Athletics Track for a long time. They also questioned the fact that the municipality accepted to make a protocol with Farense, when it never showed itself available to do so with other clubs or associations.
A protocol that was on the agenda of the Chamber of Faro last Thursday, but that was eventually withdrawn. This Thursday, the document will even be put to the vote, after hearing its critics.
After a long meeting, which took place last Friday night, between the vice president of the Chamber Paulo Santos and representatives of the current users of that infrastructure, the text of the protocol was changed, in order to reassure those who have been using the track and ensure that the deal with the biggest club in town will not interfere with their activity.
According to the Sul Informação Both Paulo Santos and AAA vice-president José Luís, the changes are related to the reduction of the hours of use for Farense by one hour, now being from 9 am to 17 pm, instead of the 18 hours previously planned and the removal of a phrase that had to do with the use of space on the weekend.
Paulo Santos always refused not to have warned all clubs of the intention to let Farense use the Athletics Track and that there was never any dispute. The proof, he considers, are the few changes made to the protocol proposal.
José Luís, on the other hand, explained that the requirement of clubs to reduce the hours of use of the track by Farense in one hour is linked to logistical issues. “This way, there is an hour to make the transition. At 18 pm is when most athletes start training and, in this way, there is time to pack the material and take baths», he summarized.
On the other hand, the clubs wanted to withdraw a clause that spoke of the use of the track at the weekend, by Farense. Thus, the current rule remains in force, in which anyone who wants to use the track on Saturday and Sunday submits a request to the local authority.
An issue that has remained in the air since the open letter sent by the AAA was the discomfort that the local authority had agreed to enter into a protocol with Farense and had never done it with clubs or the association.
An issue that is linked to another point in the agreement between the Chamber and Farense, justified Paulo Santos. Farense undertakes, in light of the protocol, to invest around 50 thousand euros in laying a new turf. "This protocol, which is valid for 10 years, is a safeguard for the investment they will make," said the mayor.
This does not mean, however, that the management of the athletics track will be transferred to Farense, which will be just another club using municipal infrastructure, guaranteed Paulo Santos.
The placement of the pitch is the part that raises most doubts for clubs and the athletics association. «We don't know when Farense plans to carry out the works. There are regional and national championship events scheduled», he warned. José Luís anticipates that works of this nature will require the temporary closure of the runway.
Paulo Santos, on the other hand, assured our newspaper that the activity of other clubs that use the Athletics Track of Faro will not be conditioned by the arrival of Farense. The turf will be for everyone and the newcomer (and investor) is warned that there will be a greater wear zone on the turf, «the fruit of javelins and discus throws».
Comments