- The GaituzSport Awards for inclusion in sports 2024 were handed out on 19th September.
- Over 200 people attended, with important institutional and social representation.
- The event could be followed live via streaming
The actors Oscar Terol and Susana Soleto, as excellent masters of ceremony began the 8th edition of “The Inclusive Night” with the following words “Sport brings us together placing us at the same level; and inclusion is a long-distance race as well as a responsibility for society as a whole.”
The great inclusion night was held at the Europa Palace in Vitoria – Gasteiz, with over 200 attendees.
GaituzSport Chairman, Xabier Leizea, in his welcome speech highlighted: “We must generate a Community without differences and with equal opportunities for everyone; and as such emphasis must be placed on social transference and networking, because inclusion is dependent on society as a whole.”
After which the GaituzSport Award ceremony began, whose awardees are recognised for inspiring through their work, example and values.
GAITUZSPORT 2024 AWARDS
Good inclusive non-competitive sports practices: Alavesa Football Federation for the Project “Include us – Gurekin Bat”.
The Álava Provincial Council President Irma Basterra gave out the Award, which was collected by Kepa Arrieta, the Federation Chairman accompanied by the project sports people and trainers.
Good inclusive competitive sport practices: Itxaropena Association, for the Inclusive Goalball School and Zuzenak Foundation, for the Inclusive Sports Campus.
The awards were given by the Minister for Welfare, Youth and Demographic Challenge, Nerea Melgosa; and the Social Policy Provincial Councillor Gorka Urtaran.
Pedro González de Viñagre accompanied by 4 sports people collected the award on behalf of Itxaropena, whilst Zuzenak Foundation’s Chairwoman Itxaso Carrillo collected theirs.
Elite sports: Basque Paralympians who took part in the Paris Olympic Games: Agurtzane Egiluz, Iñigo Llopis, Nahia Zudaire, Mikel Erdozain, Laura Ugarte, Naiara Rodríguez, Asier García, Amagoia Arrieta, Fernando Mitxelena, Higinio Rivero, Ander Cepas, Rakel Mateo and Iker Sastre.
The Awards were given by Bakartxo Tejeria the Basque Parliament Chairwoman and Bakartxo Tejeria Basque Vice-President and Minister for Culture & Linguistics Policy.
Collecting the awards were: Agurtzane Egiluz, Amagoia Arrieta, Rakel Mateo, Mikel Erdozain, Laura Ugarte, Naiara Rodríguez and Fernando Mitxelena. Txema Minguez collected Iker Sastre’s award on his behalf; and José Centeno on behalf of Asier García.
People or bodies fostering inclusion in the sports area: Baskonia Alavés Foundation for their Inclusion Project “Baskonia Mixed Ability”.
María Begoña Pedrosa the Education minister handed the award to Luis Querejeta, the Foundation Director and Dorleta de la Presa, Co-coordinator of the Foundation’s Basketball School accompanied by sports people and trainers.
Good inclusive practices outside sports: Rakel Rodríguez, Director of the accessible inclusive Company Arymux, for their day-to-day work pro-inclusion via culture and dance.
Kepa Ortiz de Urbina, Laboral Kutxa Communication, Sponsorships and Social Action Manager handed the Award to Rakel Rodríguez.
Special award for their track record: Iñaki Ibarreta, for his brilliant career and contribution to sport and competition as a sportsman and now as a trainer.
Maider Etxebarria Mayoress of Vitoria-Gasteiz handed the Award to Iñaki Ibarreta.
Interactive game
We love to innovate so in this edition after the award ceremony all the attendees took part in an entertaining interactive game.
The winner was, José Centeno who won a fantastic smartwatch thanks to Forum Sport’s sponsorship. Jesús Beamonte, Director of Communication & Marketing and Izaskun Casas, Forum Sport Marketing handed him the prize.
We enjoyed an entertaining cocktail after the family photo.
Many thanks to the attendees, and in addition to the aforementioned Authorities we would like to thank Beatriz Artolazabal, Deputy Mayoress; Ana Rosa López de Uralde Sports, Health & Co-operation Councillor; Councillors Iñaki García Calvo, Aitziber Salazar and Aitor González; Members of Parliament: Inma Rábalo, Rebeka Ubera, Ayem Oskoz and Ainhoa Domaica. Gorka Iturriaga Basque Government Direct of Physical Activity & Sports; Juan José Rojo Bazán DFA Sports Director and Mamen Sánchez Social & Healthcare Services Director.
Acknowledgements to the Basque Government, Álava Provincial Council, Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, Laboral Kutxa and Forum Sport for making this memorable edition possible.
We continue weaving the inclusion network! Because to quote Rakel Rodríguez “inclusion is important and urgent”.
The 2025 edition will be held in Bilbao; however, that’s a story for another day.
