The Ayuntamiento de Marbella is set to launch the 'Sports Talents of Marbella' cycle on 13 November, featuring Olympic boxing silver medallist Ayoub Ghadfa as its inaugural guest. This initiative aims to connect the community with the experiences of local athletes who have reached the pinnacle of their sports.
The event will take place at the Río Huelo sports centre from 17:30 to 19:30, with free entry until capacity is reached. Lisandro Vieytes, the councillor responsible for the initiative, highlighted the goal of providing young people with relatable role models who can share insights into the dedication, perseverance, and resilience required to achieve top-level competition.
Vieytes noted that this initiative follows previous successful events featuring professionals such as cyclist Luis Ángel Maté, golfer Ángel Hidalgo, and swimmer Javier Mérida. He expressed a commitment to continue this programme throughout 2027, showcasing other distinguished athletes from the municipality.
“We want to harness the talent we have in our city to convey values that extend beyond medals, such as discipline, sacrifice, and the importance of balancing training with academic education,” he stated. He also expressed pride in having Ghadfa as a role model, recognising his achievements in becoming one of the world’s top boxers.
The programme will begin earlier in the day at the Río Verde Institute, where Ghadfa studied. He will engage with students for approximately two hours, discussing his early career, the challenges he faced, and his journey to winning silver at the Paris Games. This session will also include practical exercises and technical advice.
“We chose this school due to the athlete's personal connection to the facilities,” Vieytes explained, thanking the institution for its willingness to participate, especially as Ghadfa typically trains at the High Performance Centre in Madrid.
In the afternoon, the event will move to the Río Huelo sports centre, opening its doors at 16:30 to facilitate public access. The session, aimed at individuals of all ages—not just those involved in contact sports—will feature a talk and roundtable discussion about Ghadfa's personal and professional journey, followed by a Q&A session.
Subsequently, participants will engage in individual and partner exercises related to boxing skills, tailored to various levels and applicable to other sports. Marina Moreno, a technician from the delegation, emphasised that “behind an Olympic medal lies a long journey filled with lessons, obstacles, and difficult moments that are also worth knowing.”
She encouraged families and young children to participate in what promises to be an enriching experience for both athletes and those interested in stories of perseverance and achievement. Attendees are welcome to bring their own gloves or mitts for the practical segment and will have the opportunity to view Ghadfa's Olympic medal, obtain autographs, and take photos with the boxer.
Vieytes concluded by thanking local boxing clubs and contact sports organisations for their involvement, reaffirming that “Marbella is home to great sporting talents, and we want their stories to inspire others while we continue to support their careers.”
