The Plenary of the La Rinconada City Council has unanimously approved the municipality's candidacy for the recognition of European City of Sport 2028, a distinction granted by ACES Europe.
The Plenary of the La Rinconada City Council has given the green light, with the support of all political groups, to the municipality's candidacy to become European City of Sport in 2028. This recognition, awarded by the organization ACES Europe, distinguishes those localities that stand out for their commitment to sport, healthy habits, and citizen participation.
With this agreement, the council initiates a process aimed at valuing the work developed over decades in the field of sports. La Rinconada has a wide network of facilities, a solid network of clubs, and an intense sports activity that involves thousands of residents. The candidacy aims to give visibility to this collective effort, in which clubs, athletes, coaches, and volunteers have participated.
The mayor of La Rinconada, Javier Fernández, highlighted that sport is a hallmark of the municipality. "This candidacy does not arise from nothing, but rather gathers the work of many people who have made La Rinconada a sports reference in Andalusia," he noted during the plenary session. The goal is to obtain a seal that reinforces the projection of the locality and attracts new events.
La Rinconada aspires to join other Andalusian cities that have already achieved this distinction, such as Córdoba (2014), Antequera (2018), or Granada (2021). Málaga was also recognized as European Capital of Sport in 2020. These experiences have shown that the distinction boosts economic and social activity, as well as improving the city's image.
The process to obtain the certification will include a visit from an evaluation committee from ACES Europe, which will analyze aspects such as sports facilities, the range of activities, citizen participation, and municipal policies in this area. The candidacy is based on a model that promotes equal opportunities, inclusion, and sports practice for all ages.
The City Council plans to develop a series of promotional actions over the coming months to disseminate the candidacy among citizens and sports agents. The goal is to involve the entire population in a common project that values the journey taken and looks to the future with ambition.
For the residents of La Rinconada, this recognition would provide a boost to the already established local sports offerings. Municipal facilities, such as the municipal sports centre or the football stadium, could host competitions at a European level, which would have a positive impact on local commerce and hospitality. Additionally, the European City of Sport seal usually comes with greater visibility in media and networks, attracting athletes and visitors.
The candidacy is part of a broader strategy by the City Council to position La Rinconada as a reference sports destination. In recent years, the municipality has hosted events such as the Half Marathon or youth football tournaments, and has improved its infrastructure with the renovation of courts and the construction of new training areas.
The next step will be the formal presentation of the candidacy to ACES Europe and the preparation of the required documentation. The evaluation committee will visit the locality to check the resources and sports environment on-site. If everything progresses as planned, the resolution could be known throughout 2027, ahead of the designation for 2028.
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