Carlos César underlined on Friday morning the importance of SATA Rally Azores and its integration in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) for the external projection of the Azores.
Mentioning the criticism the is sometimes made to the Government regarding the costs or support that contribute to the promotion of the Azores abroad – “without being fully aware of their impact” – the President of the Government stressed that this event was important for the Azores as millions of people across the world heard about the archipelago.
The President of the Government spoke on the occasion when he received the award for the best pictures of all 2009 IRC competitions which distinguished the last year’s edition of SATA Rally Azores.
The cup was delivered to Carlos César by the chairman of the Commercial Sports Group, Francisco Coelho, who exchanged compliments at the Sant’Ana Palace in the company of the chairman of the Portuguese Automobile Association and the members of the College of Commissioners of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile following the 2010 SATA Rally Azores.
For the President of the Government, the trophy – whose delivery to the Regional Government was unanimously decided by the leaders of the Commercial Sports Group in recognition of the Government’s support to the competition – demonstrates the importance of the natural landscapes of the Azores, but we must not forget the quality of the organisers.
Hence, the Regional Government is pleased with the outcome of the investment has been made in the SATA Rally Azores, the total amount being of one million Euros.
“When we invest in an area which is a strength in the external promotion of the region, this is an expense to be maintained,” concluded Carlos César.