Estepona Aspires to Host Football Champions League for Amputees
The mayor of Estepona, José María García Urbano, recently welcomed members of the European Amputee Football Federation (EAFF) to the city. The purpose of their visit was to assess the possibilities of Estepona hosting the Football Champions League for amputees.
Estepona is currently in the selection process to become the venue for this prestigious international competition. The tournament attracts renowned teams from countries such as Spain, France, United Kingdom, Poland, and Turkey, among others. Not only does the event aim to integrate people with disabilities through sports, but it also has a significant promotional impact worldwide, as UEFA is one of the entities involved in its organization.
Mayor García Urbano has emphasized the suitability of Estepona as the host city and highlighted the potential for great international advertising promotion if the championship is held there. He expressed the city’s total willingness to accommodate the Football Champions League for amputees.
During the meeting, the mayor received Bogumila Smolarek, the General Secretary of the EAFF, and the national soccer coach for amputees appointed by the Spanish Federation of Sports for People with Physical Disabilities (FEDDF). He informed them about the progress made in recent years to make Estepona accessible to all and the various actions taken to promote labor, social, and sports integration for individuals with disabilities or functional diversity.
Furthermore, the Estepona City Council has shown its intention to promote and raise visibility for amputee football, which is one of the youngest sports in the football world. The sport involves two teams of seven players, with six outfield players and a goalkeeper on each side. Field players have lower extremity amputations, while goalkeepers have upper extremity amputations. They all play without prosthetics, using crutches to navigate the pitch.
If Estepona succeeds in becoming the host city for the Football Champions League for amputees, it will not only bring international recognition but also contribute to the city’s ongoing efforts to support inclusivity and diversity in sports.
What initiatives has Estepona undertaken to promote social, labor, and sports integration for individuals with disabilities or functional diversity?
Estepona, under the leadership of Mayor José María García Urbano, is striving to host the Football Champions League for amputees. The European Amputee Football Federation (EAFF) recently visited the city to assess its suitability for hosting this prestigious international tournament.
Estepona is currently in the running to be selected as the venue for the competition, which attracts top teams from across Europe, including Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Turkey. This event aims to promote integration through sports for people with disabilities and has a significant global promotional impact, with UEFA being one of the organizations involved in its organization.
Mayor García Urbano has highlighted Estepona’s credentials as the ideal host city and emphasized the potential for extensive international advertising promotion if the championship were to be held there. He has expressed the city’s full commitment to welcoming and accommodating the Football Champions League for amputees.
During the meeting, the mayor met with Bogumila Smolarek, the General Secretary of the EAFF, and the national soccer coach for amputees appointed by the Spanish Federation of Sports for People with Physical Disabilities (FEDDF). He briefed them on the progress made in recent years to ensure accessibility for all in Estepona and the various initiatives undertaken to promote social, labor, and sports integration for individuals with disabilities or functional diversity.
The Estepona City Council has also expressed its intention to promote and raise awareness of amputee football, which is considered one of the newer sports in the world of football. The game involves two teams of seven players, with six outfield players and a goalkeeper on each side. Field players have lower extremity amputations, while goalkeepers have upper extremity amputations. They play without the use of prosthetics, relying on crutches to navigate the pitch.
If Estepona successfully secures the hosting rights for the Football Champions League for amputees, it will not only gain international recognition but also contribute to the city’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity in sports.
“Estepona’s bid to become the host city for the Amputee Football Champions League is an exciting opportunity to showcase its inclusive spirit and passion for the game. With its stunning location and strong infrastructure, Estepona has the potential to provide an unforgettable experience for athletes and fans alike.”