• The I Congress and Fair of Physical Activity and Sport of the Canary Islands, the largest event of its kind in the islands, concludes with the attendance of 17.465 visitors, who enjoyed an offering of 80 exhibitors, 350 hours of open practice and exhibitions, and more than 40 talks and debates with a hundred top-level speakers.

ExpoDeca 2024, the I Congress and Fair of Physical Activity and Sport of the Canary Islands, concluded this Sunday at Infecar, Gran Canaria Fairgrounds, after four intense days. It made history as the largest sports-related gathering ever held in the Canary Islands. The event drew a massive public response, with over 17.465 attendees.

The event, organized by the Government of the Canary Islands through the Department of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity, and Sports and co-hosted by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and Infecar, started last Thursday. It brought together experts, athletes, executives, and top-level professionals. It served as a showcase for the region’s sports sector and promoted healthy lifestyles.

The fair, sponsored by Fundación Disa, Firgas, Aquavia, Clipper, and Binter and supported by Bestial Race, included more than 350 hours of sporting activities and exhibitions throughout the venue. A hundred of these hours were dedicated to traditional Canary Island sports. Additionally, over 40 conferences, meetings, debates, and round tables featured over a hundred leading industry speakers. Around 80 exhibitors participated in the event, including public institutions, sports organizations, and private companies.

“After four intense and incredibly long days, the feeling is fantastic. We had a full house throughout the event, achieving our goals as organizers at Infecar and the Government of the Canary Islands. These goals included fostering connections within the sports industry, raising its profile, and growing the sector professionally while also engaging with the public to highlight the wide array of sports services available to Canary Islanders,” stated Ángel Sabroso, Deputy Minister for Physical Activity and Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, on the final day.

From ExpoDeca to Dakar

The last day of ExpoDeca also featured the farewell ceremony for Rafa Lesmes’ iconic “Pink Elephant” truck heading to the Dakar Rally. The truck represents the socially responsible “Dakar for Life” project, initiated in 2023 by his team CUP 59 and the Carrera por la Vida Foundation. The initiative raises awareness about breast cancer, including male breast cancer.

Lesmes’ truck, a category winner at the 2024 Rally Classics Africa, was showcased during ExpoDeca. The ceremony, led by Lesmes and Deputy Minister Ángel Sabroso, marked the team’s departure from Gran Canaria. The “Pink Elephant” will next travel to Barcelona for technical inspections before heading to Saudi Arabia for the legendary competition, beginning January 3, 2025.

“Bringing the ‘Pink Elephant’ to ExpoDeca is an emotional experience for me. I usually race abroad, which can feel distant from the people who support me. Being here has allowed me to feel their incredible warmth,” said Lesmes before the departure.

Outdoor Sports Activities

ExpoDeca’s outdoor areas hosted numerous activities, with the Las Palmas and Tenerife football foundations organizing football zones to encourage participation and awareness. On Sunday, a veteran derby between the two clubs took place alongside activities involving youth football, inclusive sports, and visitor participation. Social initiatives such as El poder de la grada (a Fundación DISA project promoting sportsmanship) and Proyecto DiSafío (inclusive sports) also stood out.

Basketball had a significant presence, with organizations like Club Baloncesto Gran Canaria, Club Baloncesto Islas Canarias, ADM Econy, and Club Baloncesto Siete Palmas hosting skill challenges, 3×3 games, wheelchair basketball, and interactive training sessions.

Other highlights included official padel matches, pickleball demonstrations (introduced to the Canary Islands by ExpoDeca), and tennis and table tennis zones. Volleyball shone with the IV Gobierno de Canarias Open 4×4 and public workshops, and obstacle course racing (OCR) offered challenges and presentations in collaboration with the Canary League of Obstacle Races.

Mountain climbing, cycling, and canoeing also featured prominently, with open sessions and competitions, while motorsports enthusiasts enjoyed displays of champion vehicles, including Juan Carlos Quintana’s rally car.

Traditional Canary Sports

Traditional sports, such as Canary wrestling, stick games, and stone lifting, took centre stage with demonstrations and workshops. Other activities included exhibitions of traditional Canary sailing and barquillo racing, ensuring cultural heritage was well-represented.

Fitness and High-Intensity Training

Pavilion 5 hosted a packed schedule of fitness activities, from Latin dance and pilates to cross-training and merengue workshops. Pavilion 6 showcased exhibitors, fencing demonstrations, and martial arts performances. The Gran Canaria Crow Challenge final, featuring 200 athletes, was a major draw.

Conversations on the Sports Sector

Over 50 top-tier speakers addressed topics ranging from inclusive sports to doping prevention. Academic contributions from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of La Laguna provided depth to discussions.

Canary Islands Sports Awards

Last Friday, the Department of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity, and Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands presented the first Canary Islands Sports Awards, recognizing ten athletes, teams, and sports organizations for their contributions and careers across various traditional and mainstream disciplines.

Honored for their achievements during the 2023/2024 season were: Pedri González, football player for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team (Individual Athlete Award); the Guaguas Las Palmas men’s volleyball team (Team Award); Alberto Delgado, junior international handball player with the Spanish national team (Promising Athlete Award); Paralympic triathlete Lionel Morales (Adapted Sports Award); football referee Marta Huerta de Aza (Sports and Equality Award); and the Rally Islas Canarias (Promotion and Dissemination of Canary Islands Sports Award). Additionally, former basketball player Sergio Rodríguez received an honorary award recognizing his professional career. Other distinctions included Fernando Amador, awarded the Pedro Molina Prize for his creative contributions, dissemination, research, and teaching of traditional Canary Island sports; Antonio Celestino, posthumously awarded the Special Federation Prize for his work in promoting and enhancing these traditional sports; and the Canary Islands Federation of Drag Sports, awarded the Equality Prize for organizing the sixth day of traditional sports on International Women’s Day.

Parallel Activities

As part of the parallel events, ExpoDeca hosted the VIII Congress of the Canary Islands Association of Sports Management Professionals (ACAGEDE), aimed at sports sector professionals. The congress featured presentations organized into three main themes: Sports and Tourism, Sports and Health, and Regular Sports Practice. More than forty renowned specialists led these sessions. Complementing the main program, ExpoDeca also held the I Health and Life Promotion Conference, organized by the General Directorate of Education Planning, Inclusion, and Innovation of the Government of the Canary Islands. Finally, the fair featured the Steps for Life initiative, in which more than 500 children, youth, and adults walked to ExpoDeca from various schools to explore the event and enjoy a screening of the film Loli Tormenta. This initiative aimed to promote healthy habits, physical activity, and sports across all age groups.