The Atlántida Cinema's Sala Teatro hosted the 50th Anniversary Gala of Club Balonmano San José Obrero on Saturday night, an event that concludes a year full of activities to celebrate the half-century of existence of one of the most deeply rooted sports organizations on the island of Lanzarote. In the 1970s, it became a great social phenomenon, steering the young people of the Titerroy neighborhood away from the bad habits of the streets, and over the years it has become a benchmark in national handball.
The 50th Anniversary Gala of CB San José Obrero began with the screening of a documentary made by José María de Paiz, which captures the club's half-century of existence in just over half an hour. The documentary features those who were there at the club's beginnings, and many of those who have been important throughout its history.
The club wanted to honor the private companies that collaborate and sponsor the entity, with special mention to AXA and CICAR, all of whom received a small gift made by the artist Carlos García. The collaboration of public entities was also recognized, as was the case with the Canary Islands Handball Federation, the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo of Lanzarote, and the Arrecife City Council.
One of the most emotional moments of the night came with the recognition of the nine presidents who have led CB San José Obrero in its fifty years of history. Manuel Fuentes Moreno (1975), Lorenzo Lemaur Santana (1975-1985 / 1991-1994), Agapito de León (1985-1991), Jorge Cabrera (1994-1995), Marcial Brito (1998-2002), David Robayna (2002-2005), Israel González (2005-2006), Juan Carlos Toledo (2006-2021), and Yomaique Martín (2021-2025), received the gold pin of CB San José Obrero in recognition of their work.
The 50th Anniversary Gala of CB San José Obrero concluded with a performance by Taburiente, a group that 48 years ago participated in the II Cultural Week with a performance at the old Cine Hollywood in Titerroy. Their songs delighted those present, and it was the culmination of a year full of events to commemorate the club's half-century of existence, looking towards a future full of new challenges.