Minister Poli Suárez participated in the program's presentation, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that “sport is accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or circumstances”. The project aims to facilitate access to physical activity, offer training, and enhance sporting opportunities for people with disabilities.
The initiative, which also includes the participation of FUCADI's head of adapted swimming, Paqui Romero, and athletes from the foundation, encompasses awareness-raising, training, and technification activities. It seeks to train professionals and create new opportunities for adapted sports practice and competition.
The president of FUCADI, Rafael Henríquez, expressed his gratitude for the commitment of the Ministry and Poli Suárez, noting that this support allows FUCADI and the Las Palmas Swimming Club to remain leaders in sports inclusion in the Canary Islands, reaching all islands and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Paqui Romero highlighted the fundamental role of such projects in bringing the reality of adapted sports to Canarian society, especially to new generations, fostering awareness, breaking down prejudices, and advancing towards a more inclusive society.
The third edition maintains previous work lines and incorporates new actions. Awareness-raising visits have already taken place in educational centers on La Palma, including CEIP El Roque and IES José María Pérez Pulido in Los Llanos de Aridane. A similar session will soon be held in Lanzarote.
In terms of training, the course ‘Strategies for Inclusion in Swimming’ will be held on October 24 and November 7 at the Municipal Pools Julio Navarro, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It will feature the participation of doctors Rómulo Díaz Díaz, Samuel Sarmiento Montesdeoca, and Rayco Montesdeoca Hernández, professors from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Furthermore, a technification and monitoring program for athletes with disabilities will be developed, culminating in a regional event in Gran Canaria that will combine sports classification processes and an adapted and inclusive swimming competition.
Since its launch in 2024, the program has carried out activities in Tenerife, El Hierro, Gran Canaria, La Palma, and Lanzarote, combining sports, training, and awareness-raising.
