Por Redaccion 
The Minister of Culture and Sports, Patricia del Pozo, presided over the Gibralfaro Castle in Málaga the gala of the Andalusia Sports Awards 2024, which recognize the best athletes, clubs, and sports entities in the autonomous community from the past year. «These awards represent the public and institutional recognition of the efforts and merits in sports that lead Andalusia to the top of national and international sports competitions,» she stated.
During her speech, Patricia del Pozo explained that «the 2024 edition of the Andalusia Sports Awards is marked by the excellent performance of our athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, where we were represented by 58 athletes –43 Olympians and 15 Paralympians– who won eleven medals and twenty diplomas, contributing to the success of the national team.»
The Sports Minister also addressed the recognized athletes, clubs, and entities, telling them that they are «the mirror in which Andalusian sports are reflected today, with personal and social values; examples of self-discipline, effort, and perseverance, as well as humility, sportsmanship, respect, and camaraderie. They are also role models for many other athletes, especially the youngest ones, and that carries a great responsibility.»
«We have the challenging and exciting goal of surpassing the records set by Andalusian sports in Paris 2024 in three years’ time, where we achieved a historic harvest of medals and diplomas. That’s why, in the first call of the new Olympic cycle for Los Angeles 2028, we have increased the budget of the Andalusia Olympic Plan by 60%,» stated Del Pozo, emphasizing that «Andalusian sports are in very good health.»
As a result, the award for ‘Best Female Athlete’ went to the Granada native María Pérez, for the gold medal in the 20 km relay and the silver in the individual walking event in Paris 2024. The award for ‘Best Male Athlete’ was received by the Malaga boxer Ayoub Ghadfa, for the silver medal in Paris 2024, in the +92 kg category.
The ‘Best Athlete with Disabilities’ award was given to cyclists Alfonso Cabello and Pablo Jaramillo, from Córdoba and Almería respectively, for the silver medal won in the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, in the Team Speed C1-C5 category. Almería swimmer Anastasiya Dmytryv received the ‘Best Athlete with Disabilities’ award for achieving three medals in Paris 2024, gold in 100m breaststroke SB8, and bronze in the mixed 4×100 medley and 200m individual medley SM9.
The Malaga sailor Rafael Montero was awarded the ‘Promise of Male Sports’ for first place in the Kitesurf sub 19 World Championship, the Spanish Kitesurf ABS Championship, and the Andalusian Championship. The ‘Promise of Female Sports’ award was given to the Huelva native Lucía González, for third place in the Junior World Weightlifting Championship in the 49 kg category and first place in the Youth World Championship in the same category.
The award for the «Athlete with the Best Academic Record» went to the Huelva native Marta Aznar, for the individual gold medal and team silver in the Junior European Archery Championship and first place in the Cadet National Championship, as well as her academic results in 4th year of secondary school, with an average of 9.7.
As the ‘Best Initiative for Prevention and Fight against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, Intolerance, and Sexist Attitudes or Behaviors in Sports’, the ‘Salvaguardia Program’ of the Andalusian Gymnastics Federation was recognized, aimed at ensuring a safe, respectful, and discrimination-free environment in gymnastics practice, ensuring the well-being and protection of all participants.
The award for ‘Best Male Team’ was tied between CD Sordos de Huelva and Unicaja Baloncesto de Málaga. The Huelva club for winning the European Deaf Futsal Championship; and the Malaga club for the Intercontinental Cup, Champions League, and Spanish Basketball Super Cup.
The recognition for ‘Best Female Team’ went to the Club Agrupación Voleibol Esquimo Dos Hermanas, for reaching the semifinals in the Women’s Super League and the quarterfinals of the Queen’s Cup.
The company Deporinter, in charge of managing the Andalusia Cycling Tour since 1979, was awarded the title of «Best Sports Manager» for its work in the Andalusian cycling event, which celebrated its centenary in 2025 (first edition in 1925).
Special Mentions
One of the special mentions of these Awards was for the Almería native Carmen Martín, for being one of the most relevant athletes in the world in her discipline, handball. Also, a special mention was given to all the Olympic and Paralympic athletes from Paris 2024, for their significant participation in the Parisian event, collected on behalf of all of them by Sole López and Jairo Ruíz.
Finally, two more special mentions were granted, to the Cádiz native Antonio Millán, a pioneer in sports law; and to the president of the Andalusian Federation of Sports for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Rocío Suárez, for her excellent management of the organization.