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Secretaria Regional da Educação, Cultura e Desporto
Sofia Ribeiro defines "autonomy" of sports entities as strategic axis for sustainability and merit
Sofia Ribeiro defines "autonomy" of sports entities as strategic axis for sustainability and merit
Secretaria Regional da Educação, Cultura e Desporto
Press release
Press release
Secretaria Regional da Educação, Cultura e Desporto
New ordinance published on adapted sports
New ordinance published on adapted sports
January 13, 2026
Sofia Ribeiro defines "autonomy" of sports entities as strategic axis for sustainability and merit
January 2, 2026
Press release
December 17, 2025
New ordinance published on adapted sports
News
Nota de Imprensa
January 13, 2026
Sofia Ribeiro defines "autonomy" of sports entities as strategic axis for sustainability and merit
The Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport stated today at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores that public policies for the sector should focus on creating conditions for sports entities to achieve greater independence. "Rather than focusing our political strategy on allocating support, public policies must be based on developing conditions that allow sports clubs and associations to operate with greater autonomy," she said. During the debate on sports support policies, Sofia Ribeiro stressed that the Azorean Government's priority is to invest in regional athletes. "The focus should be on training levels, investing in Azorean athletes," she defended, pointing out that this commitment fosters the development of senior levels and shapes more active and informed citizens. The Regional Secretary rejected generalised views on financial difficulties in the sector, clarifying that specific situations of mismanagement should not be confused with the overall reality. "One cannot generalise situations that are specific to some clubs and that are the result of their own management choices to the entire sports sector," she stressed, adding that, in certain cases, it is these choices that lead to the freezing of funds by creditors or tax obligations. Sofia Ribeiro noted that the autonomy that the Government intends to promote is already visible in procedural changes. For the first time, during the 2025/2026 season, the Government processed 100% of the allocated support for travel and complementary support for national competition activities and the Azores football championship, as well as support for hiring coaches, in a single instalment. "Overall, clubs and associations are beginning 2026 better than ever before, with all their participation fees paid," assured the government official. The effectiveness of public policies was also demonstrated through demographic and sports data. Sofia Ribeiro revealed that the Azores currently have a "record number" of athletes (24,872), coaches and other agents. In terms of high performance, the Region has surpassed national and international podium figures. "The number of participants in national teams has been increasing. The number of medal winners at an international level has been growing, and we have not had any Olympic hopefuls for over a decade," the Regional Secretary pointed out, noting that there are currently four athletes in this category. For Sofia Ribeiro, the current situation shows that the sector is experiencing a moment of vitality that extends beyond subsidies. "Sport in the Azores is much more than just the allocation of support," she said. In this regard, the government official regretted that views biased by political party interests attempt to present a negative perspective that she considers to be "a lack of respect and consideration for the work carried out by those who have dedicated themselves, with quality work, and have achieved results that greatly dignify the Autonomous Region of the Azores."
January 13, 2026
Sofia Ribeiro defines "autonomy" of sports entities as strategic axis for sustainability and merit
The Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport stated today at the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores that public policies for the sector should focus on creating conditions for sports entities to achieve greater independence. "Rather than focusing our political strategy on allocating support, public policies must be based on developing conditions that allow sports clubs and associations to operate with greater autonomy," she said. During the debate on sports support policies, Sofia Ribeiro stressed that the Azorean Government's priority is to invest in regional athletes. "The focus should be on training levels, investing in Azorean athletes," she defended, pointing out that this commitment fosters the development of senior levels and shapes more active and informed citizens. The Regional Secretary rejected generalised views on financial difficulties in the sector, clarifying that specific situations of mismanagement should not be confused with the overall reality. "One cannot generalise situations that are specific to some clubs and that are the result of their own management choices to the entire sports sector," she stressed, adding that, in certain cases, it is these choices that lead to the freezing of funds by creditors or tax obligations. Sofia Ribeiro noted that the autonomy that the Government intends to promote is already visible in procedural changes. For the first time, during the 2025/2026 season, the Government processed 100% of the allocated support for travel and complementary support for national competition activities and the Azores football championship, as well as support for hiring coaches, in a single instalment. "Overall, clubs and associations are beginning 2026 better than ever before, with all their participation fees paid," assured the government official. The effectiveness of public policies was also demonstrated through demographic and sports data. Sofia Ribeiro revealed that the Azores currently have a "record number" of athletes (24,872), coaches and other agents. In terms of high performance, the Region has surpassed national and international podium figures. "The number of participants in national teams has been increasing. The number of medal winners at an international level has been growing, and we have not had any Olympic hopefuls for over a decade," the Regional Secretary pointed out, noting that there are currently four athletes in this category. For Sofia Ribeiro, the current situation shows that the sector is experiencing a moment of vitality that extends beyond subsidies. "Sport in the Azores is much more than just the allocation of support," she said. In this regard, the government official regretted that views biased by political party interests attempt to present a negative perspective that she considers to be "a lack of respect and consideration for the work carried out by those who have dedicated themselves, with quality work, and have achieved results that greatly dignify the Autonomous Region of the Azores."
Nota de Imprensa
January 2, 2026
Press release
The Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport clarifies the framework of the support granted for participation in the National Under-19 Men's Football Championship, following contacts and information recently made public. Over the past two seasons (2024/2025 and 2025/2026), the regular phase of this competition has been covered under a programme contract that supports annual events. This arrangement allows for the sharing of travel costs and provides additional assistance. The non-regular phase of the competition, as in all sports, is the result of a qualifying process that begins at the local level, continues to the regional level and culminates in the national phase. As such, it is subject to a different framework as regards support. Qualification for this phase depends on the programme contracts to be signed with sports associations, based on their respective Sports Development Programme (PDD), which must be submitted by December 31, 2025, as well as the regional budget available for this area. In 2025, programme contracts were signed in the context of "regional, national and refereeing activities" with the three football associations of the Azores, totalling €240,314.00, for an aggregate PDD of over €400,000. For 2026, and according to the budget approved by the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, it was communicated to the organisations that the available reference amount remains the same as the previous year, i.e. €240,314.00. It should be noted that the Government of the Azores only provides partial funding for sporting activities, which applies to all sports. Therefore, it is up to the sports associations to define, within the available budget, the conditions to be included in the programme contracts. For the Government of the Azores, priority should be given to the participation of youth teams and athletes training in the Region. In the context of "regional, national and refereeing activities," football and futsal account for more than 20% of the amount of support granted for all sports. It should also be noted that the competitive structures under the Portuguese Football Federation have undergone successive changes in recent years, without fully ensuring the principles of fairness and competitive access for teams from the autonomous regions, given their island status. In the specific case of football, the regulations stipulate that the federation will cover the costs of air travel for the Under-17 Men's and Under-19 Women's teams, except for the Under-19 Men's National Football Championship. The Government of the Azores acknowledges the sporting and educational merit of the team involved, Sport Club Angrense, which is entirely based in the Azores and belongs to a priority age group within the National Sports Development Plan. There have been ongoing calls for dialogue, common sense, and internal cooperation within the sector through regional associations and the club to identify a solution that enables participation in the competition.
January 2, 2026
Press release
The Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport clarifies the framework of the support granted for participation in the National Under-19 Men's Football Championship, following contacts and information recently made public. Over the past two seasons (2024/2025 and 2025/2026), the regular phase of this competition has been covered under a programme contract that supports annual events. This arrangement allows for the sharing of travel costs and provides additional assistance. The non-regular phase of the competition, as in all sports, is the result of a qualifying process that begins at the local level, continues to the regional level and culminates in the national phase. As such, it is subject to a different framework as regards support. Qualification for this phase depends on the programme contracts to be signed with sports associations, based on their respective Sports Development Programme (PDD), which must be submitted by December 31, 2025, as well as the regional budget available for this area. In 2025, programme contracts were signed in the context of "regional, national and refereeing activities" with the three football associations of the Azores, totalling €240,314.00, for an aggregate PDD of over €400,000. For 2026, and according to the budget approved by the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, it was communicated to the organisations that the available reference amount remains the same as the previous year, i.e. €240,314.00. It should be noted that the Government of the Azores only provides partial funding for sporting activities, which applies to all sports. Therefore, it is up to the sports associations to define, within the available budget, the conditions to be included in the programme contracts. For the Government of the Azores, priority should be given to the participation of youth teams and athletes training in the Region. In the context of "regional, national and refereeing activities," football and futsal account for more than 20% of the amount of support granted for all sports. It should also be noted that the competitive structures under the Portuguese Football Federation have undergone successive changes in recent years, without fully ensuring the principles of fairness and competitive access for teams from the autonomous regions, given their island status. In the specific case of football, the regulations stipulate that the federation will cover the costs of air travel for the Under-17 Men's and Under-19 Women's teams, except for the Under-19 Men's National Football Championship. The Government of the Azores acknowledges the sporting and educational merit of the team involved, Sport Club Angrense, which is entirely based in the Azores and belongs to a priority age group within the National Sports Development Plan. There have been ongoing calls for dialogue, common sense, and internal cooperation within the sector through regional associations and the club to identify a solution that enables participation in the competition.