The Diputación de Albacete hosted the Provincias al Deporte Awards ceremony on Monday at the Teatro Circo in the city, where 56 athletes and sports organizations from different disciplines were recognized for their professional careers and achievements throughout 2024.
Olympic water polo champion Laura Pérez, world champion and double Olympic medalist in racewalking María Pérez, and the national U-21 soccer team coach and Olympic champion Santi Denia were the godmothers and godfather of this commemoration, presided over by the president of the Diputación, Santi Cabañero, and the mayor of Albacete, Manuel Serrano.
Cabañero began his remarks by remembering Castilian-Manchego sports journalist José Ángel de la Casa, originally from Los Cerralbos (Toledo) and who passed away on Monday, whom he considered «a star in sports communication.»
The provincial president congratulated the various awardees and described the gala as «a boost for sports in the province,» which was accompanied this year by an investment of «more than three million euros» in sports activities by the Diputación.
He also highlighted the success of the Gran Fondo Sierra de Albacete cycling race, held on the same day, which with more than 2,000 participants «exceeded all expectations,» and encouraged the Diputación to begin the process to request that the Vuelta Ciclista a España pass through the province’s mountains.
«It doesn’t depend on us, but we commit to doing what is necessary so that sooner rather than later we can enjoy the Vuelta Ciclista here in our mountains,» Cabañero guaranteed.
Double racewalking medalist María Pérez thanked the initiative and the recognition given at the commemoration, especially to the schools, where talent in children who are beginning to excel appears, recommending them «sacrifice, effort, work, and humility» in their sports career towards Olympic gold.
Olympic water polo goalkeeper Laura Ester emphasized that it was a celebration «where other sports less visible than soccer are rewarded» and addressed young athletes, telling them «the most important thing is to enjoy what you do, not only the competition, but the whole process.»
Olympic coach and native of Albacete Santi Denia described the Olympic career as «pressure but also an illusion and a challenge,» emphasizing that medals «should not take away one’s vision and day-to-day work.»
The Gala de los Premios Provinciales del Deporte, which was postponed from the previous Monday to May 5 due to the power outage that affected all of Spain, featured a photocall, sports demonstrations, and music.
The 56 recognitions were divided into two blocks: 20 school awards in 16 different disciplines selected by the corresponding sports federations, 24 awards in 10 varied areas, and 12 special mentions decided by the Asociación de Prensa Deportiva de Albacete.