It is a space within Catalan Tennis Museum which was inaugurated two years ago and the main objective is to promote and honor the clubs, athletes, leaders, technicians or referees, among others, who have played an important role in the history of this sport in our country. The event was attended by Abel García, general secretary of the Sports Department of the Generalitat of Catalonia; Jordi Tamayo, president of the Catalan Tennis Federation; Gerard Esteva, president of UFEC; as well as the members of the board of directors, awarded in this third edition, as José Luis Arilla and Josep Tutusausand of the former two, as Manuel Orantes and Alex Corretja.
The event began with some words of welcome and recognition Jordi Tamayo for all the leaders, technicians and athletes honored today. “In this project that we started in 2022, we want to highlight the essence of Tennis Català, as well as what we are, what you are and what we want to be. Thank you all for being the DNA of Catalan sport and led many. If we learn from the past, we bring the present together and the future can be promising.”
Next, Gerard Esteva stood up, assuring that “the fact of combining all this great work from past projects and shaping the identity of the future for us. Congratulations to those who entered this Hall of Fame , to the Federation for their great work, and to all the references here. Looking back and reviewing what has been done in the past allows us to focus on the future.”
For his part, Abel García said that “this is your legacy and that of Catalan sport. Activities like today allow us to collect and recognize the fruits left by previous generations so that these foundations can maintain future generations. Institutions, federations and clubs are important, but many times we forget that what remains is the person, who is the most important thing.
Next, awards were presented to the new members of the Hall of Fame. In this way, then, the career of the talented people who, with their talent and dedication, put Catalonia on the international map and contributed to the expansion of Tennis Català is remembered and celebrated. As in the case of Rosa Torresthe first Catalan to participate in the Olympic Games, 100 years ago, in Paris 1924. He also had a very prominent role in his sports career. Jose Luis Arilla, Roland Garros finalist in 1961 and in Number of Godó Trophy in 1960, 1963 and 1965. In addition, he participated in thirty qualifying matches Davis Cupincluding two finals (1965 and 1967).
The trajectory of Joan Gisbertwho in 1959 won the Orange Bowl, considered the World Championship in the junior category, and in 1965 the Conde de Godó Trophy. In addition, he was a finalist in the Australian Open (1968) and was also a regular in the Davis Cup with 69 matches played, as a finalist in two editions (1965 and 1967). In its part, Pillar Barrel He is the tennis player who has won the most Absolute Catalan Championship, with 11 titles, and the Absolute Spanish Championship, with 9.
The role of technicians is also valued, as they are the key to the success of every athlete and are often overlooked. In this edition, it is acknowledged Josep Tutusaus and Pedro Mora. The first is the director and coach of the CT Urgell Tennis School and the RCTB-1899. Great tennis player like Albert Costa, Conchita Martínez and Neus Ávila. Pedro Mora is director and coach of the CT De La Salut and Bonasport Tennis Schools, as well as the coach of many professional tennis players, highlighting Manuel Orantes and Àlex Corretja.
Also honored are the leaders and clubs, who tirelessly make tennis in our country. The centenary of The Casino of La Garrigaand the dedication over many years of Pablo Llorens, Carlos Godó Valls and Agustí Pujol to the head of an institution or tennis club. Llorens was the president of the Spanish Tennis Federation (1970-1984) and the first Spanish leader to be elected as a member of the ITF executive committee.
For his part, Carlos Godó Valls was president of the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona between 1935 and 1960, and he founded the Conde de Godó Tournament in 1953. Agustí Pujol led the Tarragona Tennis Club (1977-1985) and was president of the Spanish Tennis Federation (1985-2004) and of Tennis Europe (2000-04).
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
