The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stated in Angra do Heroísmo that Azorean sport is "luckily" in a "higher level" than 25 years ago.
 
Avelino Meneses pointed out that the absolute sports participation rate, which is twice the national average in the Region, as an indicator that proves the "effective capacity" of the Azores to transform sport into an "inclusive activity that is truly of all and for all."
 
For Avelino Meneses, who spoke Friday at the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of João Paulo II Stadium, Azorean sport is expected to have a "bright future" for Azorean sport, because young people represent about 75% of athletes belonging to sports clubs and the female participation rate "more than doubled."
 
In this context, the Regional Secretary mentioned the fact that the Azores have already reached competitive notoriety "in the country and abroad," as evidenced by the "good examples" in various sports or, individually, by the participation of athletes in the Olympics or Paralympics, as it happened in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
 
All this "is the best evidence of our sports progress," said the government official.
 
In his speech, Avelino Meneses also stressed the financial effort that the Regional Government undertakes, through the recently approved Plan and Budget for 2017, so that sport is "a real priority." He noted an investment increase of 380 thousand Euros for the Regional Directorate for Sport.
 
Given the impossibility of applying for EU funds, the allocation of this Regional Directorate in 2017, fully supported by the Region Budget, ensures the development of federated sport, promoting the practice of physical activity, maintenance, rehabilitation and construction of infrastructures, said Avelino Meneses.
 
However, the Regional Secretary stressed that joining Sport and Physical Education in the same governmental department is "an asset that we must necessarily to strengthen" since "school is not an embarrassment to the practice of sport; it should be the foundation for building a rewarding career."
 
The João Paulo II Stadium was originally provided with a natural grass football field, a synthetic running track, a skating track, a bench with 6,000 seats and a multisport centre. Since 2000, it has been subject to several restoration and improvement works that, for example, have contributed to the certification and approval of the running track for international competitions.