The VI Quelfes Games were presented on March 12 at the Salão Nobre of the Municipality of Loulé. The initiative will run from 11 to 19 April in the municipalities of Faro, Loulé, Olhão, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira, with the participation of Albufeira and Silves.
The Quelfes Games are, according to the Organizing Committee, «the biggest and most emblematic event for the promotion of Olympism aimed at the 1st Cycle of Basic Education in Portugal and also the only one, in our country, to deserve the seal of the International Olympic Academy and the International Center for the Olympic Truce, institutions that, within the Olympic Movement, are dedicated to promoting Olympism as a philosophy of life and peace».
The presentation, which was attended by directors of groups of schools, teachers, mayors, media and friends of education and sport in general, the mayors of the municipalities of Loulé and São Brás de Alportel, as well as the councilors of the Department of Municipalities of Olhão and Tavira, «emphasized the importance of these Games as a meeting point and reflection of a proposal for an educational model that is intended to be increasingly comprehensive».
Gustavo Marcos, the forerunner of this initiative, «made a general framework for these VI Quelfes Games, which were followed by interventions by representatives of each sectorial commission, clarifying what the sporting tournaments will be, their framework, scope and participation, with clear emphasis for the novelty that is the introduction of adapted sport».
According to the Organizing Committee, “some characteristics that make this event something unique and very special were also highlighted, such as the case of all teams reading a text that praises the opponent before any match, the emphasis placed on personal overcoming or the promotion of social responsibility, through actions such as the collection of water bottle caps for humanitarian purposes».
The president of the Olympic Academy of Portugal was also present at the ceremony, representing the Olympic Movement, "congratulated all those involved in the initiative, reinforcing the importance of this event for national Olympism and the need to carry out, particularly among younger people, the humanist dimension of Olympism, in a year in which the Algarve is preparing to host, for the fourth time, the Annual Session of the Olympic Academy (May, Loulé)».
During the Quelfes Games, students will be able to enjoy sports facilities such as the Algarve Stadium, the Municipal Swimming Pools of Quarteira or the Dr. Eduardo Mansinho Pavilion (Tavira).
The opening ceremony is scheduled for 17:00 pm on April 11 at the Municipal Auditorium of Olhão and the closing ceremony at 16:00 pm on April 19, at the São Brás de Alportel Municipal Pavilion. In both, entry is free.
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