The Arrecife City Council "owes 229,000 euros in subsidies" nominated for various sporting events that were held in 2024. "This amount, still unpaid, seriously jeopardizes the continuity of competitions that have been fundamental to projecting the image of Arrecife both nationally and internationally," they state.
Among the affected events are highly relevant tests such as the Disco Night Urban Race, the Summer Challenge of Crossfit, and international youth soccer and 3x3 FIBA basketball tournaments. The list of victims also includes sports federations and charitable events, "highlighting the breadth of the problem."
Roy González, PSOE spokesperson in the City Council: "We demand an immediate response and compliance with the financial obligations to the promoters of these events, before the damage is irreparable. Sport cannot continue to be a victim of the neglect and incompetence of this misgovernment."
"This situation is not new. Already in 2022, the City Council recognized a "late and deficient management" that led to the failure of several sporting events. History seems to be repeating itself, demonstrating that the only thing the PP cares about is parties," they say.
"Sports promoters and clubs have expressed their discomfort and concern since many of them have to advance the money from their pockets, which leads to great damage for them, with the consequence of disappearing as a club. And meanwhile, both Elizabeth Merino and the mayor of Arrecife stroll through FITUR boasting of a sports offer that they themselves are endangering with their null management," they say.
"The ineptitude of the Sports Councilor, Merino, trying to project in Madrid a contradictory and delusional image of Sport in Arrecife cannot be tolerated for a minute longer," they point out. “While in FITUR there is talk of Arrecife as "the port of nautical sports", in the city clubs and federations face an uncertain future due to non-payments,” says Roy González.
"Elizabeth Merino and Yonathan de León believe that sport is promoted with empty words and propaganda, moving away from concrete actions and compliance with the commitments made. The credibility of Arrecife as a venue for sporting events is at stake, and with it, the economic and social benefits that these bring to the city," they criticize.
“It is time for the municipal government to stop selling smoke at tourist fairs and focus on solving the real problems that affect sport in Arrecife. Organizers, athletes and citizens deserve more than broken promises and management that endangers the sporting future of the city,” González concludes.
