Almería becomes capital of Spanish football hosting hundreds of Spanish supporters
Javier Tebas attends the National Congress and praises UD Almería. Support of all Almeria-based institutions. Moving tribute to Juanjo López
Almería has become the capital of Spanish football thanks to the celebration of the XVIII Nacional Congress of Supporters Club, which brings together 700 supporters clubs from all over Spain in Almeria. The ball has not yet started to roll and the fans are now the main protagonists.
After the reception held last Friday at the Town Hall for the representatives of the supporters' club federations of the first and second division clubs, and the visit and dinner at La Alcazaba fortress, this Saturday the major event took place at the Maestro Padilla Auditorium. LaLiga President Javier Tebas attended the congress and praised UD Almería ‘I’m convinced that they’ll be highly competitive in the top flight.’ Along with him, José Juan Bonillo, representative of the Club in LaLiga, who on behalf of UD Almeria not only welcomed all the delegations but also congratulated the UDA Supporters Federation for organising this significant event.
Mayor of Almeria Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, President of the Diputación de Almeria Javier Aureliano García, delegate of the Government of the Junta de Andalucía Aránzazu Martín were present in the Auditorium, among other authorities, showing institutional support for the Congress. All of them valued in their speeches the importance of the fans and expressed their desire to ensure that all attendees make the most of their stay in Almería.
The National Congress had deeply emotional moments such as the moving tribute paid to president of the supporters club Sotanillo-Ortiz Bernal Juanjo López, who is an example of struggle and improvement. President of the UD Almería Supporters clubs Mónica Ruiz and Aficiones Unidas President José Mateos presented him with an award. José Ortiz, the eternal skipper of UD Almería was also honoured. A video was played with Almeria-born singer David Bisbal featuring from Mexico greeting all the attendees.
The Congress dealt with different issues related to football and supporters clubs, including betting on sports tourism to encourage fan travel with discounts on journeys, accommodation and restaurants, as well as ticket management and allocation of seats for visiting supporters clubs, among other topics.
Cartagena will be the next city to organise the National Congress of Supporters Clubs in 2023. After this event all the attendees went on different tours and held meetings that will conclude this Sunday with a visit to the Juegos Mediterraneos Stadium and subsequent farewell meal at the El Toyo Conference Centre.