The final stages of the XV Municipal Petanque Championship will take place at the municipal petanque courts in Chapín over three days: 14 November, 21 November, and the final on 28 November. This was announced by Tomás Sampalo, the Delegate for Sports and Health, alongside Eva Ruiz, representing the sponsoring company Mémora, and José Ramón Alcalá-Zamora, head of the Municipal Office for Disability Attention (OMAD).
Sampalo expressed gratitude to Mémora for their support in promoting sports and highlighted the municipality's commitment to fostering various sports, particularly petanque. The local government has recently developed new, modern petanque courts adjacent to the Chapín meadow, which complement existing facilities at the La Granja Senior Residence, San Juan XIII, the Municipal Field of La Granja, La Canaleja, and the Municipal Sports Centre La Asunción.
He emphasised the significance of petanque as an intergenerational sport, stating, “This year, educational plans have introduced petanque in collaboration with the Guadalcacín Petanque Club, allowing students from over 15 schools to engage with this activity.” Sampalo noted the growing curiosity among younger people about why others play petanque and what makes it special. “Chess and petanque are two activities that enable competition regardless of age,” he added.
The Delegate reiterated the commitment of the Sports and Health Department to promote sports for all ages and demographics. “In all our community improvement projects, requests for petanque courts are frequent. Many parks we are renovating are also asking for petanque facilities,” he explained.
Eva Ruiz thanked the municipality for Mémora's involvement in the championship, stating, “We are always eager to participate in these events. It is a source of pride to support sports for older adults and other activities in the city that we are developing in residences, senior centres, and more.”
José Ramón Alcalá-Zamora praised the collaborative efforts of the municipal departments of Sports and Social Action, highlighting that “for us, sport is social inclusion and health. When older adults and people with disabilities have the opportunity to engage in sports and connect with nature, it fosters routine and a renewed zest for life; we want to ensure that older adults do not remain at home.”
He also mentioned the active ageing programme available to over 12,000 members of municipal senior centres, noting, “We are seeing an increasing demand for workshops. Currently, 3,500 people are participating in 89 different workshops, with petanque included as a key activity. It allows older adults to take centre stage in our city.”
Alcalá-Zamora further highlighted the importance of accessibility in this championship, specifically referencing the active participation of the deaf community. “We aim to normalise inclusion and accessibility,” he stated.
The championship will feature participation from various clubs and associations, including CPA Jerez III La Granja, AAVV Los Zodiacos (La Milagrosa), the El Abuelo Senior Centre, the Polideportivo Petanque Club, CD Sordos Jerez, Club Petanque Eduardo Delage, and Club de Petanca Guadalcacín.
