(ANS – Estoril) – The 28th edition of the Salesian National Games of Portugal will be held at the Salesian centre in Estoril from 25 to 28 April 2024. More than a thousand athletes will participate in the various tournaments of Futsal, Basketball, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Swimming and Chess. Nine delegations will be present from Mirandela, Porto, Funchal, Arcozelo, Évora, Lisbon and Cascais – the most Salesian municipality in the country, with the representation of the Salesians from Manique, the Salesians in Bairro do Rosário and the Salesians in Estoril, the latter hosts and also the largest delegation, with 234 participants.
Of note is the enormous involvement and support of the Salesian Educational Community in Estoril – among educators, staff, parents, students, past pupils, scouts… A total of 155 volunteers, demonstrating the generous and supportive spirit that characterises it.
The Salesian National Games are, by their nature, a sporting competition… But as a Salesian event, they are always carried out in a spirit of family, celebration and celebration. This year the motto chosen was: “We are friends! ‘I feel good here with you’”: a clear call to friendship, mutual respect, the building of positive relationships, joy… in the style of Salesian pedagogy, with a quote from Don Bosco.
In addition to sports competitions, this year’s event offers a range of educational, pastoral, cultural and recreational activities: from artistic performances to cultural outings and moments of prayer. The great news, however, is the venue for the opening ceremony, the Eucharistic celebration and the closing of the Games: the central courtyard of the Salesians in Estoril, which already last year hosted the WYD DON BOSCO 23 festival – a central part of the World Youth Day in Lisbon experienced by the approximately 9,000 boys and girls from the Salesian Youth Movement.
The general programme of the Salesian National Games is as follows:
25 April 2024
09:00 – Reception of teams
11:30 – Lunch
14:30 – Start of competitions
19:00 – Dinner and socialising
21:00 – Opening ceremony of the XXVIII Salesian National Games
26 and 27 April 2024
07:30 – Breakfast
09:00 – Resumption of the races
11:30 – Lunch
19:00 – Dinner and following recreational and pastoral activities
28 April 2024
07:30 –Breakfast
09:30 – Eucharist and closing ceremony of the Games
11:30 – Lunch
14:00 – Departure of delegations
The doors of the Salesian House in Estoril are open to all, especially on the occasion of the opening and closing ceremony of the National Salesian Games. In the beautiful setting of Estoril, everything has been prepared so that these days are full of the spirit of fair play, joy, harmony among all and care for our Common Home.
The 28th National Salesian Games of Portugal have been held annually in Portugal since 1992, in various cities where there are Salesian presences. The event brings together athletes and educational and pastoral communities in a moment of family, celebration and celebration, according to the properly Salesian educational and evangelisation style. In its first edition, held in Mogofores, the competitions were only in four disciplines – handball, basketball, volleyball and football – which then increased over the years.
For more information, visit www.jogosnacionais.salesianos.pt or write This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..