III Maspalomas Paddle Tournament starts for 'Diversity'

Everything is now ready for the celebration of the III Maspalomas Padel Tournament for Diversity, the competition for LGTBI+ padel players organized by the Canarian Padel Federation, the two most important LGTBI+ padel clubs in Spain, GMadrid Sport and PanteresGrogues and Freedom Asociación LGBT Maspalomas.

 

Today its official presentation took place at a press conference with the presence of Aridany Romero, Sports Councilor of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Ramón Suárez, Sports Councilor of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, Diego Gil, president of the Canarian Federation of Pádel, Florentino Guzmán, coordinator of participating LGTBI+ teams and Fernando Ilarduya, president of Freedom Asociación LGTB Maspalomas and director of Maspalomas Pride by Freedom.

 

The Sports Councilor of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Aridany Romero, has praised the work of the Canary Islands Paddle Federation, “one of those that has grown the most in number of federated members”, as well as the importance of the tournament, “a different and differentiator that makes integration around sport visible without forgetting the economic benefits that it entails for Maspalomas. It is a beautiful, beautiful, integrative and different way, a commitment to equality from a sporting point of view, my congratulations to the promoters.”

 

 

 

 

 

Ramón Suárez, Sports Councilor of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, highlighted that it is “a record edition, with participants of various nationalities and with the great novelty of being part of the Maspalomas Pride by Freedom programming. Maspalomas is consolidated with this event and we want it to continue to have our support.”

 

For his part, the president of the Canarian Paddle Federation, Diego Gil, pointed out that on this occasion the participation has been overwhelming, "in practically a month the registrations were complete." Gil thanked “the players for their response and the involvement of both the administrations and the clubs that will host the tournament.”

 

Florentino Guzmán, coordinator of participating LGTBI+ teams, explained that from the tournament “we encourage participation from a sporting and equality point of view,” underscoring the importance of holding events of this type, because “athletes continue to suffer discrimination for playing under certain conditions.” acronym". He also concluded by highlighting that “we are going to have very powerful couples, from Europe and Latin America.”

 

 

Finally, the president of Freedom Asociación LGTB Maspalomas and director of Maspalomas Pride by Freedom, Fernando Ilarduya, assured that “for us it has been great to include sport in the event. The response has been massive, both in terms of athletes and hotel occupancy; sport has added to both the group and the event.” 

 

The tournament starts this afternoon at 17:00 p.m. on the courts of the Gloria D216 Pádel Tennis Club, in the facilities of the Gloria Palace San Agustín Hotel, in the south of Gran Canaria, and the K2 San Agustín Club. Starting Friday, the Bida Paddle Club courts will also be added.

 

A total of 160 athletes, 40 male, 20 female and 20 mixed couples, arriving from Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, the Canary Islands or Italy, make this third year a record participation with national and international players. Competitors such as Florentino Guzmán and Natalia González stand out, winners in previous editions in the male, female and mixed categories.

 

The tournament is part of the Maspalomas Pride by Freedom 2024 program for the first time, undoubtedly one of the LGTBI+ events with the greatest national and international impact that brings together thousands of people from around the world in Gran Canaria every year.