Mayor José Carlos Rolo wants to nominate Albufeira for the European City of Sports, «maybe in 2022». The wish was expressed in a tribute to the Immortal Basket Clube, on the 9th of July.
This ceremony brought together athletes, the technical team and Immortal leaders who were accompanied by the trophy that guaranteed them the title of national champions of the Immortal B team.
On the occasion, the mayor confessed that the good results of the council's teams and athletes have been good results, which will allow that «within a few years, or perhaps in 2022, Albufeira can apply for the 'European City of Sport', which would bring the possibility of holding in this city several national and international competitions, as well as awakening other modalities that may be a little dormant».
The mayor gave as an example roller hockey, which was once one of the hallmarks of Imortal Desportivo Clube.
“Albufeira needs names that praise this municipality, which is so badly treated by the information about the pandemic, thanks to unfair evaluation criteria”, he stressed.
José Carlos Rolo also explained that he has «always guaranteed support for this and other clubs and associations, and for the year, this Chamber will certainly continue to support sport», with a view to making «this and other clubs grow stronger and stronger. , more solid and bring us more victories for Albufeira».
Thanking this tribute, the coach of the team Bernardo Pires stressed that the work that has been “developed in partnership with the local authority” is “extremely positive”.
Framing the importance of the 2nd Division champion title, he explained that it will be important to "keep young athletes in competition, many of whom are already linked to the A team".
«This level allows athletes from Albufeira and athletes from outside Portugal to have the objective of reaching team A, from
which will, many of them, remain loyal to the club and Albufeira», he added.
Ana Cristina Patrício, president of the General Assembly of Imortal Basket Clube, considered, in turn, that this victory was the «cherry on top of the cake, for the work we have done».
«Truth be told and we are all aware that if it weren't for the support of the City Council – we could have had a lot of good will, a lot of people, but it would be impossible, and even more in the context of the current crisis with the lack of sponsors – we would not be able to go in addition to what we initially proposed, which was the U-18 championship, but we already knew that we would not play in U-18»,
Addressing the team, Ana Cristina Patrício said she was very satisfied, especially “because they are very young and many have been trained in our house. They are part of our DNA, our matrix and it is with you and with those who join because there is quality and demand, that we strengthen ourselves. We will all miss this past year», he concluded.
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