The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands has received the proposals from the juries for the 2026 Canary Islands Sports Awards, honoring protagonists from the past season and historical figures in island sports. The distinctions cover twelve categories, including individual careers, teams, promising athletes, equality, sports promotion, adapted sports, technical direction, refereeing, and special mentions.
In the category for best individual career or sports merit, a joint nomination has been put forward for Pedri González and Yéremy Pino, world champions with the Spanish national team, alongside wrestler Eusebio Ledesma. Rocasa Gran Canaria has been nominated as the best team, while Elena Buenavida is a contender for the promising athlete award, and Maite Cazorla for equality.
Other distinctions include the CAI Gran Canaria for its sports promotion efforts, Lionel Morales in adapted sports, and Luis Doreste with a special mention. The new categories for technical direction and refereeing recognize Dejan Ojeda and Ariadna Chueca, respectively.
Traditional games and sports will also be honored. Salvador Sánchez “Borito” will receive the Pedro Molina Award, Tino de la Nuez the Special Federation Award, and the all-female crew of the Güi Güi boat, captained by Mimi González, the Equality Award.
The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, November 13th, at the Pérez Galdós Theater in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, coinciding with the third edition of ExpoDeca, the Canary Islands Physical Activity and Sports Fair.
Minister Poli Suárez highlighted the diversity of careers and the strength of Canary Islands sports, thanking the participation of communication professionals and federative representatives in the selection process.
Pedri González and Yéremy Pino are recognized for their role in winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Pedri adds this title to the La Liga title with FC Barcelona, while Yéremy Pino adds the UEFA Conference League with Crystal Palace. Eusebio Ledesma, a figure in Canarian wrestling, led the Chimbesque Wrestling Club to retain titles.
Rocasa Gran Canaria receives the best team award for its historic season in women's handball, winning the Liga Guerreras Iberdrola and the Supercopa Iberdrola. Elena Buenavida is recognized as a promising athlete for her successes in basketball with Valencia Basket and the Spanish national team, including the Liga Femenina Endesa and a World Cup bronze medal.
Dejan Ojeda, coach of Rocasa Gran Canaria, is awarded for his technical direction, achieving the Liga Guerreras Iberdrola and the Spanish Super Cup at twenty-seven years old. Ariadna Chueca receives the award for refereeing after officiating the final of the Women's Basketball World Cup.
Maite Cazorla is honored for her work in sports and equality, after winning the bronze medal at the Women's Basketball World Cup and the EuroLeague with USK Prague. CAI Gran Canaria is recognized for its sports promotion, excelling in grassroots training and women's athletics.
Lionel Morales repeats his distinction in adapted sports after winning the Paratriathlon World Cup and the Spanish Championship. Luis Doreste, a two-time Olympic sailing champion, receives the special honorary mention.
The juries, composed of 32 communication professionals and presidents of traditional sports federations, have selected the awardees, whose proposals will be officially confirmed soon.
