The Government of the Azores will provide eight sports practiced at the highest level in the Archipelago in the sports season 2009/2010 with a 3.7 million Euro support.
The support stipulated by resolution of the Council of the Government, published in the Official Journal today, comprise sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, handball, hockey, table tennis, futsal and auto racing.
The Government of Carlos César justifies the awarding of these funds by the fact that these sports, when practiced at the highest level “may contribute to the external promotion of the Azores.”
In addition, the Government highlights that television broadcast and the publication of articles on some of the games/events held in the national market “significantly increase the visibility of the Azores as a destination.”
The authorised support comprises the following football teams: Santa Clara, which plays in the “Liga de Honra,” with 2.2 million Euros while Praiense, Operário and Vitória will receive 160 thousand Euros.
Moreover, Lusitânia (120,000 Euros) and Boa Viagem (60,000), basketball; Fonte do Bastardo (210,000 Euros) and Ribeirense (60,000 Euros), volleyball; Sporting da Horta (300,000 Euros), handball and Candelária (210,000 Euros), hockey, are other clubs supported by the Government. 
The list of support, whose amount aims to reflect the contribution of several sports activities to contribute to the external promotion of the Region, also includes the regional rally champion, with 100,000 Euros, and the table tennis teams from Pico, Toledos (4,950 Euros) and the Grupo Desportivo da Casa do Povo da Madalena (2,500 Euros).