President Prohens recalled that the islands are a “land of champions” and has opted for sport to be one of the hallmarks of the identity of this land

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The ceremony of the Premis Esports IB 2023

The President of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, and the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Jaume Bauzà, presided over the sixth edition of the Gala del Deporte de las Islas Baleares on Monday, where the Premis Esports IB 2023 were presented, which, on this occasion, rewards the best athletes and clubs of the 2022/2023 season through the awards with which the Government values the effort and talent of the athletes and clubs of the Balearic Islands.

As for the Premis Esports IB winners, those responsible for delivering the distinctions have been athletes and colleagues with whom the honorees have a special bond.

During her speech, Marga Prohens recalled that the islands are “a land of champions”. Thus, “we want this to be one of the hallmarks of these islands, that we are recognized worldwide as a land of athletes and as a land of sports”.

Prohens has also stressed the commitment of the new government to value the sport through the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sports. As a sign of this commitment and commitment to the sport, he remarked, “The budget of the Directorate General of Sports increases by 2.45%, that is, 585,000 euros to 25 million”.

Minister Bauzà thanked “the example of perseverance, courage and determination exemplified by the winners”. “Today we remember the countless hours of training, sacrifice and self-improvement and we gather to honour these sacrifices and applaud their triumphs that will inspire entire generations,” he added.

Six sportsmen and women received the first mentions for sporting merit, triathlete Bernat Xamena, canoeist Álex Graneri, basketball player Alba Torrens, taekwondoka Daniel Quesada, karateka Irene Colomar and, finally, the mentions for the 100 years of CD Manacor and SD Portmany soccer team.

The world champion of motorboating Alejandro Prats has received the Male Promise award, while the canoeist Maria de los Angeles Moreno is the Female Promise of 2023.

As for adapted sports, in the female category, the award went to swimmer Isabel Shihuaying de la Cruz, who received the award from Antoni Pomar, president of the Federation of Adapted Sports of the Balearic Islands. Nil Riudavets, Paralympic triathlete, received the award for best male adapted sportsman from the hands of triathlete Mario Mola.

In the second block of awards, the prize for the best technicians, Yolanda Llompart (artistic gymnastics) and Carlos Vicens (soccer), was presented. In the first one, his students have been the ones who have given him the award, while the CEO of Real Mallorca, Alfonso Diaz, has done the same with the assistant coach of Manchester City.

As for the best teams, Club Bàsquet Menorca Hestia represented the men’s side and Xelsca Illes Balears artistic gymnastics represented the women’s side.

In the last part of the gala, the athlete Tòfol Castanyer was awarded in the modality of “putting in value the sport”. The best athletes were the canoeist Joan Toni Moreno and soccer players Cata Coll and Mariona Caldentey. Finally, gymnast Cintia Rodríguez received an award for her entire sporting career.

The event, held at the Palacio de Congresos de Palma, featured musical and artistic performances by the group Pell de Gall and Sion Calafat.