The Ponta Delgada Football Association and Clube Naval da Horta (nautical club) were awarded the 1st Sports Excellency Award, established by the Azorean Government, announced the Regional Secretary for Education in Angra do Heroísmo on Monday afternoon.

Cláudia Cardoso stated at a press conference that the Government regards merit "as an asset that ought to be valued and encouraged in its multiple aspects." Therefore, the "purpose of improving the organisation and management of sports associations through public recognition of the entities that excel in their activities and may become an example to follow" was embodied in the Government's Programme for the area of sport.

Embodying this aspiration, the award was created with the aim of distinguish sports associations and clubs that demonstrate "organisational and performance quality."

A total of 16 sports clubs and 5 associations have applied for the 1st edition of the Sports Excellency Prize, "which evidences the significant membership and recognition of the newly created award," underlined Cláudia Cardoso.

The prize is awarded by a jury consisting of five members: two representatives of the Regional Directorate for Sport, two representatives of sports associations a personality with recognised dedication to sport and distinguished performance in the context of sports excellence, such as Pedro "Pauleta."

"With this initiative we publicly recognise that the regional sports clubs and associations foster the development of sport in the Azores," the government official said, adding that the distinguished institutions "manage the resources allocated by the Government with efficiency" are considered as "the best examples both in terms of organisational and performance quality."

"As a result of a sports development policy based on clear and shared principles, the Azores register the highest participation rate of athletes belonging to sports associations - 9% - while Madeira registers 7% and Mainland Portugal 5%.

The Regional Secretary also mentioned the increase from 34 associations in 1995 to the current 48. There is a total of 250 clubs, spread across eight of the nine islands.

"According to data available on the participation of athletes belonging to sports associations, we have exceeded the 21 thousand athlete 'mark' for the 5th consecutive year.  In fact, the Region registered a total of 22,000 athletes," stated Cláudia Cardoso.