Medalists in international competitions were honored for their achievement of podium places
LISBON – On 12 December, the Portuguese University Sports Federation (FADU) organized the 6th edition of the University Sports Gala. About 300 people attended the ceremony that, once again, was the stage for the recognition of those who excelled in the season of 2012/2013.
The Gala took place in Lisbon in the magnificent auditorium of the University of Lisbon/Faculty of Dental Medicine, the venue of the 2004 FISU forum, and was attended by the Secretary of State for Sport and Youth, Emídio Guerreiro and the Secretary of State for Higher Education, José Ferreira Gomes, as well as the President of the Portuguese Institute of Youth and Sports, Augusto Baganha. Also present were the presidents of the main national sport bodies: Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Sports Confederation.
The mother of Tânia Oliveira receiving the award for Best Female Athlete
The best of the year were announced, after counting more than 9,000 votes, among the participating institutes and Student’s Union, a jury selected by the FADU board and the votes of the public on the FADU Facebook page.
For the 3rd time, Gabriel Oliveira, male Handball coach of the University of Minho, was awarded the Best of the Year award in the category of Coaches, together with his team, voted Best Male Team. Last season they were the Portuguese and European Universities Champions.
From the same University and student’s union, women’s Futsal team won the award of Best Female Team. The received award acknowledged the title of Portuguese University Champions and 2nd place on the European Universities Championships.
Tânia Oliveira was voted the ‘Female Athlete of the Year’. The Beach Volleyball player of the University of Fernando Pessoa, teamed with Juliana Rosas, won the gold medal in the Portuguese and European Universities Championship. She also participated in the Summer Universiade and finished 13th place, with Joana Resende.
André Alves receiving the award for Best Male Athlete
André Alves, from Nova University of Lisbon, was the ‘Best Male Athlete’. The Medicine Student, graduated in 2013, won the gold medal on the National University Championship and was bronze medalist at the Kazan Summer Universiade. In the European Universities Championship he ranked 5th.
FADU recognizes every year through the ‘Prestige Award’, entities or personalities for the effort and dedication to the university sport. This year, there were three winners chosen by the board of FADU. Manuel Janeira, Pro-Rector of University of Porto, was distinguished throughout the course and development of University Sports. Angélica Santos received this same award for her involvement with the Portuguese Delegation in the three last Universiades and as a former member of the board of the Olympic Committee of Portugal. The Portuguese Paralympic Committee was the institution awarded as recognition of the work done in favor of sport inclusion.
Amaro Teixeira receiving the Ethics Award in University Sports
In partnership with the National Plan for Ethics in Sport, FADU awarded Amaro Teixeira, student, athlete and coach of the University of Beira Interior Student’s Union, with the ‘Award for Ethics in University Sports’. Last season he participated in five competitions and coached the Athletics team and promoted a new sport in the FADU programme.
For the third time, FADU handed the ‘Trophy for Best University’ to the University of Porto, which had the best ranking in the Portuguese university championships.
During the awards ceremony, all 26 medalists in international competitions were honored for their achievement of podium places in the European Universities Championships and in the Kazan Summer Universiade.
Bruno Barracosa final speech with his board
Bruno Barracosa, President of FADU, ended the ceremony highlighting the way to go for success in sports, with the commitment of social responsibility and education through sports. This was also the time to thank all present and recalling the best moments, not only the time that is celebrated but their last three years in the FADU board, ending soon. On the same day of the Gala, the elections for the new board took place and Filipa Godinho, current vice-president, will be the new president of FADU. As a farewell speech, Bruno Barracosa thanked his teammates and to all who contributed to the growth of University Sports in Portugal during his leadership.
(Source: FADU)