The Minister of Culture and Sports, Patricia del Pozo, presided over the Gibralfaro Castle in Málaga the gala of the Andalusia Sports Awards 2024, which recognize the best athletes, clubs, and sports entities in the autonomous community from the past year. «These awards represent the public and institutional recognition of the efforts and merits in sports that lead Andalusia to the highest levels of national and international sports competitions,» she stated.
During her speech, Patricia del Pozo explained that «the 2024 edition of the Andalusia Sports Awards is marked by the excellent performance of our athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, where we were represented by 58 athletes –43 Olympians and 15 Paralympians– who achieved eleven medals and twenty diplomas, contributing to enhancing the national team’s performance.»
The Sports Minister also addressed the recognized athletes, clubs, and entities, stating that they are «the mirror in which Andalusian sports are reflected today, of personal and social values; examples of self-discipline, effort, and perseverance, as well as humility, sportsmanship, respect, and camaraderie. They are also role models for many other athletes, especially the youngest ones, and that entails a great responsibility.»
«We have the challenging and exciting goal of surpassing the records that Andalusian sports achieved in Paris 2024 within three years, where a historic harvest of medals and diplomas was obtained, which is why, in the first call of the new Olympic cycle of Los Angeles 2028, we have increased the budget of the Andalusia Olympic Plan by 60%,» affirmed Del Pozo, highlighting that «Andalusian sports is in very good health.»
Thus, the award for ‘Best Sportswoman’ went to the Granada native María Pérez, for the gold medal in the 20 km relay and the silver in the individual walking event in Paris 2024. The ‘Best Sportsman’ award was received by the Malaga boxer Ayoub Ghadfa, for the silver medal achieved in Paris 2024, in the +92 kg category.
The ‘Best Disabled Athlete’ award was given to cyclists Alfonso Cabello and Pablo Jaramillo, from Córdoba and Almería respectively, for the silver medal won in the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, in Team Speed C1-C5. The Almeria swimmer Anastasiya Dmytryv received the ‘Best Disabled Athlete’ award for obtaining three medals in Paris 2024, gold in 100m breaststroke SB8 and bronzes in 4x100m mixed medley relay and 200m medley SM9.
The Malaga sailor Rafael Montero was awarded the ‘Male Sports Promise’ for first place in the Kitesurf sub 19 World Championship, the Kitesurf ABS Spanish Championship, and the Andalusian Championship. The ‘Female Sports Promise’ award was accepted by the Huelva native Lucía González, after finishing third in the Junior World Weightlifting Championship in the 49 kg category and first in the Junior World Championship, in the same category.
The award for «Best Academic Record Athlete» went to the Huelva native Marta Aznar, for the individual gold medal and team silver in the Junior European Archery Championship; and for the first place in the Cadet National Championship; as well as for her academic results in 4th grade, with an average of 9.7.
As the ‘Best initiative for prevention and fight against violence, racism, xenophobia, intolerance, and sexist attitudes or behaviors in sports’, the ‘Salvaguardia Program’ of the Andalusian Gymnastics Federation was recognized, aiming to ensure a safe, respectful, and abuse-free environment, guaranteeing the well-being and protection of all participants in gymnastics.
The ‘Best Male Team’ award was shared by the CD Deaf Huelva and Unicaja Basketball Málaga. The Huelva club for winning the European Deaf Futsal Championship; and the Malaga club for the Intercontinental Cup, Champions League, and Spanish Basketball Super Cup.
The recognition for the ‘Best Female Team’ went to the Club Agrupación Voleibol Esquimo Dos Hermanas, for reaching the semifinals in the Women’s Super League and the quarterfinals of the Queen’s Cup.
The company Deporinter, in charge of managing the Andalusia Cycling Tour since 1979, was awarded the title of «Best Sports Manager» for its work in the Andalusian cycling event, which celebrated its centenary in 2025 (first edition in 1925).
Special Mentions
One of the special mentions of these Awards was for the Almeria native Carmen Martín, for being one of the most prominent athletes in the world in her sport, handball. Also, a special mention was given to all the Olympic and Paralympic athletes from Paris 2024, for their significant participation in the Parisian event, accepted on behalf of all of them by Sole López and Jairo Ruíz.
Finally, two more special mentions were granted, to the Cadiz native Antonio Millán, father of sports law; and to the president of the Andalusian Federation of Sports for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Rocío Suárez, for her excellent management of the organization.