This year, the Regional Government will pay tribute to 99 athletes, sports leaders, entities and personalities in a more decentralised and personalised ceremony as part of the 19th Azorean Sports Gala. 

Athlete Ana Filipe and coach Maria Alexandra Barroso will receive the trophies in the "Sportsperson of the Year" category and "Annual Sports Prestige" category, respectively, which were awarded through voting by the main Azorean media outlets. 

Initially scheduled for April 21 in the municipality of Povoação, S. Miguel Island, the 2020 Azorean Sports Gala, which distinguishes sports agents and sports associations that stood out in the previous sports season, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Regional Government advocates that, according to information from the Regional Directorate for Sport (DRD), “the public recognition to all those who have distinguished themselves and stood out throughout 2019 is something that should not be forgotten, but rather valued and praised"; and for that reason, “due tribute will still be paid to them in a decentralised model based on a more personalised and intimate approach." 

In this perspective of “recognition and proximity,” the Regional Directorate for Sport highlights the video with the message from the Regional Secretary for Education and Culture, available on the Regional Government Portal on the page of the Regional Directorate for Sport, as well as the list of List of Award Winners.