Alejandro Marichal: “Sport not only improves health, it also creates friendships, keeps the mind sharp, and inspires that youthful spirit that you continue to demonstrate every day. You are an example for the entire municipality.”
Yilenia Vega: “It is important to reserve a space within the festivities to recognize those who have contributed with their effort and example to building community”
El Tablero hosted this Friday the XVI Recreational Sports Meeting of Older People'26, a well-established event within the program of activities for the festivities in honor of the Holy Trinity, which once again brought together more than 200 older people around sports, camaraderie and active aging.
The day began with the arrival of the participants and the subsequent official welcome ceremony, during which the First Deputy Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Alejandro Marichal, and the Councilor for Festivals and Events, Yilenia Vega, presented plaques of recognition to the invited groups from other municipalities. This year, the fitness groups Ojos de Garza, El Calero, Remudas, Pardilla, and San Antonio, from the municipality of Telde, as well as the Seniors in Shape group from Mogán, were recognized for their participation and commitment to this sporting and social event.
One of the most emotional moments of the morning came with the tribute to the oldest players of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Senior Adapted Handball Team: Marcial García Rodríguez, popularly known as “Antoñón”, and Estebana Peña Gómez, icons of adapted sport and an example of perseverance, vitality and camaraderie for several generations.
During the ceremony, Alejandro Marichal and Yilenia Vega presented medals to the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Senior Adapted Handball team, recognizing the achievements of its members and their involvement for more than two decades.
![[Img # 23260]](https://maspalomas24h.com/upload/images/05_2026/648_maspalomas24hcom.jpeg)
Marichal congratulated the participants for maintaining “their enthusiasm and dedication year after year” and emphasized that “every training session, every match, and every encounter demonstrates that staying active is also a way to continue enjoying life.” She also noted that the Senior Citizens' Department will continue to promote initiatives that encourage physical activity and socialization among older adults.
“Sport not only improves health, it also creates friendships, keeps the mind sharp, and inspires that youthful spirit that you continue to demonstrate every day. You are an example for the entire municipality,” said the first deputy mayor.
For her part, Yilenia Vega highlighted the human and participatory nature of this meeting, integrated within festivities that "also reserve an important space to recognize those who have contributed with their effort and example to building community."
After the official ceremony and tributes, the public was able to enjoy an exhibition by the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Senior Adapted Handball Team, which once again put on the court the spirit of overcoming challenges and camaraderie that has characterized the group since its founding in 2005.
The day concluded with various physical exercise activities with music, reinforcing the main objective of this meeting: to promote healthy habits, active aging and coexistence among seniors from different municipalities of Gran Canaria.
