Albufeira Sports Gala packed the Congress Palace audience

More than 400 athletes from 18 sports, from 16 clubs, almost 60 coaches, managers, families and local authorities gathered "to pay tribute to all those who "contribute to the sporting development of the municipality" and which "confirms the vitality of local associative development", said José Carlos Rolo, president of Albufeira City Council .

The mayor also emphasized that "it is often the managers who, selflessly, guarantee the sustainability of clubs and the development of young athletes."

The Sports Gala celebrates regional, national, and international achievements, "but also the journey of each athlete, the support of their families, and the work of coaches, directors, and technicians," the mayor continued.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the future Albufeira Sports and Association Centre (CADA), a project already announced as part of Albufeira's bid to become European City of Sport 2026 .

The project, to be built at the northern end of the Albufeira Municipal Stadium, includes a museum space, a High Performance Sports Center for Gymnastics, headquarters for the municipality's associations and sports clubs, as well as an Athletics Support Center and a 100-seat Auditorium, among other amenities.

"This infrastructure will be a key piece in reinforcing Albufeira's identity as a reference in the national and European sports scene," said Cristiano Cabrita, vice-president of the municipality and councilor responsible for Sport, who launched the challenge to "associations and clubs to contribute, from October onwards, with "two or three" suggestions in the sporting field to be added to the "Albufeira - European City of Sport 2026" program, as it is "a collective challenge."

"In addition to international prestige, the title implies new responsibilities, placing Albufeira in the spotlight across Europe," Cabrita added.

In turn, Francisco Oliveira, president of the Municipal Assembly, stressed that "the Sports Gala is not just an awards ceremony, but the affirmation of our collective identity, of the daily work and talent that transforms into results."

The night featured performances by Associação Soul, Acro-Albuhera and Liliana Almeida, the Albufeira native who founded the band NonStop, internationally known for their hit "Ibiza for Dreams" and who recently returned to her homeland.

It should be noted that before the start of the Gala, tribute was paid to Isaac Nader, world champion in 1500m athletics , crowned on the 17th at the World Athletics Championships - Tokyo'25, with the presence of his mother, Ana Zambujeiro and the athlete's twin brother, Diogo Nader.

This athlete began his training at the Areias de S. João Sports Club and is one of the ambassadors for the title “Albufeira – European City of Sport 2026”.

For this moment, the athlete recorded a video greeting the municipality of Albufeira and thanking them for this tribute, which drew a wave of strong applause.