Cardón to host Fuerteventura’s first Rally Sprint counting towards the Canary Islands Championship

Cardón will host Fuerteventura’s first tarmac Rally Sprint on 15 August, an event counting towards the Canary Islands Championship as Pájara Town Council seeks to strengthen its commitment to bringing new sporting events to the municipality.

The route will run between the Mirador de Sicasumbre and Tamaretilla. There will also be parallel activities, including driving simulators for the public and a hybrid vehicle taking part in the start as part of efforts to promote a more sustainable competition.

“It was one of the aims of this governing group and of mine as sports councillor to bring new sporting events to the municipality,” Alonso said, highlighting the positive impact of this combination, exemplified by the World Windsurfing and Wingfoil Championship, which is celebrating its 38th edition this year.

New grants after 22 years without sports subsidies

During the interview, the councillor also announced that the Town Council expects to publish a new round of general grants for sports clubs at the end of July, following approval of an amendment to the municipal bylaw after more than two decades without changes.

The grants will cover eligible expenses from 1 January 2025 to 30 June 2026. Changes have also been introduced to speed up payments: clubs that submit all the required documentation correctly will not have to wait for the other organisations before receiving their grant.

He also announced that Mayor Alejandro Jorge is about to sign, by decree, a new strategic grants plan. It includes newly established sports organisations among the eligible beneficiaries and increases funding for Unión Deportiva Playa de Sotavento, which has been promoted to the Third Division and is the first team from Morro Jable to reach that division.

The councillor praised the team’s work: “They have done an exemplary job, and the fruits of the work done by those boards, who are the people working behind the scenes, are now visible this year with promotion to the Third Division.”

La Lajita football ground... before the end of the year

On infrastructure, Alonso confirmed that the Town Council has approved a further price update so that work on Pájara swimming pool can go out to tender again. The pool has been closed for more than two years, after the first tender attracted no bids and the successful bidder in the second tender withdrew because of rising construction costs.

The governing group aims to restart a project considered a priority for local residents and for the development of sporting, educational and older people’s activities as soon as possible.

Alonso also said the Town Council was waiting for the company to submit the amended plans for the future sports pavilion in Costa Calma, following several meetings to address some issues.

The facility would include a gym, three padel courts, a multi-purpose sports hall and a bar, and is estimated to require an investment of between six and seven million euros. Once the plans are received, the council will need to find the necessary funding, although the councillor did not specify how it would be secured.

Also under way are improvements to the Morro Jable wrestling arena, with more than €360,000 being invested in renewing the plumbing, electrical installation and fire-safety system. The Fuerteventura Island Council has also said that La Lajita football ground is expected to be completed before the end of the year. The facility has long been sought by residents, who have been waiting for more than seven years.

150 children and a “Fun Summer”

Finally, the councillor highlighted the positive reception of the free “Verano Divertido” sports camp, which is bringing together more than 150 children this summer in Pájara, La Lajita, Costa Calma and Morro Jable.

The programme includes sports activities, workshops on environmental education, skin cancer prevention and healthy eating, as well as leisure activities and a visit to the International Windsurfing and Wingfoil Championship.