Mayor José Luis Sanz presided over the Sports Gala, where he announced an investment of €21 million to improve 24 municipal sports centres. The event recognised athletes, clubs, and entities that promote sport in the city.
The Municipal Sports Institute (IMD) of Seville is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a gala in which Mayor José Luis Sanz announced an investment of €21 million for the improvement of the 24 directly managed sports centres. This figure includes the €16 million already planned and an additional €5.2 million for climate control, coverings, and other actions.
During his speech, Sanz highlighted that the IMD is "the main driver of sport in our city" and reminded everyone that each year more than 270,000 Sevillians engage in sports through the institute. "Several million people since it started in 1986," he emphasised.
Recognition for the best athletes of the year
During the gala, awards were presented to the most outstanding athletes. In the category of clubs with promotion, the awards went to Club Atlético Central (promotion to Segunda RFEF), Insolac Caja 87 Baloncesto (Primera FEB), and Club Balonmano Proin Sevilla (Liga Asobal).
The Promising Athletes awards were given to Robin del Castillo Clanchy, world champion in beach handball, and Eloísa Tarancón Rodríguez, first in the Under-21 Raceboard World Championship. In the category of Best Athletes with Disabilities, Javier Reja Muñoz, world runner-up in Paracanoe, and Carlota Blanca Romero, tenth in the Paracanoe World Championship, were recognised.
The Best Athlete awards went to Marina García Polo (Sincro Sevilla), with two world golds and one gold and one bronze in artistic swimming, and the rowing pair formed by Jaime Canalejo Pazos and Javier García Ordóñez, who won bronze at the European Championship and finished fourth at the World Championship.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Javier Díaz-Jargüin Ocaña, and the Special Mention for Overcoming was awarded to rower Joaquín Trani Ruiz.
Recognitions for clubs, schools, and volunteers
The gala also honoured eleven sports clubs, including Club Atletismo El Quarto, Club Náutico Sevilla, and Club Voleibol Adriano, as well as eleven educational centres such as CEIP Marie Curie and IES San Pablo. Eleven individuals contributing to sports in the districts received mentions, including Juan Romero Martínez and Ignacio Robina Caballero.
The mayor reaffirmed the commitment of the City Council to grassroots and elite sports, noting that agreements and subsidies for athletes already exceed €3 million. The investment in sports centres, he said, aims to "ensure that Sevillians can engage in sports in any corner of the city."
For residents, the improvement of facilities such as heated swimming pools or covered courts will represent a significant enhancement in daily sports practice. The works will be carried out in the coming months, according to the schedule that the IMD will publish soon.
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