Barceló was speaking at a government occasion in honour of the Majorcan triathlete Mario Mola, and he added that sports tourism activities are “a priority in the tourism model that we wish to develop,” singling out triathlon as being important among these activities.
Mola was being recognised for his sporting excellence. He received a commemorative plaque during an act at which the efforts of the Balearic Triathlon Federation were also recognised; it has recently surpassed one thousand licences.
Those making the award, in addition to Barceló, were the minister for culture, Esperança Camps, the director-general for sport and youth, Carles Gonyalons, and the president of the triathlon federation, Abilio García.
This year’s silver medallist at the Triathlon World Championship, Mola said that he was “very grateful” for the recognition. “The schedule means that we have to go all over the world, so it’s undoubtedly an honour to be awarded for sporting achievement while at home, and I am very pleased and grateful to those who have made it possible.”
Camps praised “the work, the effort and the dedication that lie behind the successes” and said that it was important “to emphasise values such as humility and meeting challenges in arriving at sporting excellence”.
With this theme in mind, the sports and youth directorate will be introducing a programme for educating school-age children through the values of sport. Camps also acknowledged the work by sports federations in developing sport in the Balearics, and she announced the reintroduction of assistance to all the federations that had lost it under the previous government.
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I know I've asked this before - but if sports tourism is valued, why is nothing happening re. Mallorca Cricket Club? They used to attract visiting sides from the UK on a regular basis either side of the hotter summer months. Now the site (near Pirates in Magaluf) looks to be a derelict mess, used only by people who fly their model aeroplanes or walk their dogs. The clubhouse and cricket nets are still there, but as far as I know the club has been thrown off the site. What's going on? Would I be right in thinking that because it is a game not usually played in Spain that the politicians feel they can't be bothered with it? If they want good quality off-peak tourism then they need to sort this out. Right next door is a massive sports complex built with millions of Euros-worth of EU money, the Magaluf stadium is just up the road, and not far from that is yet another plush stadium in Son Caliu which also had the benefit of EU money. I doubt the cricket club expect that sort of money to be spent on them, but surely they merit a place to play and some local consideration. Can anyone throw any light on this situation?