The Football Association of Évora (AFE) was highlighted as a national reference by the president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Pedro Proença, during the association's Centenary Gala, held on the night of September 4. On the occasion, Proença stressed that the ceremony had a double quality, as it celebrated the 100 years of AFE and hosted the delivery of certification awards, a project he considered absolutely structural for the FPF.
Pedro Proença recalled that when the current president of AFE took office almost ten years ago, the association was undergoing an insolvency process. Currently, the reality is quite different, with an association marked by great vitality and assets exceeding 2.5 million euros, with nearly 5000 practitioners.
The FPF president also highlighted AFE's contribution to the training and valorization of Portuguese football cadres, citing as an example the current national technical director of the Federation, who previously was part of the Football Association of Évora's staff. Proença also pointed out that the objectives set by the FPF have been fully achieved in the district, both in terms of number of clubs and practitioners, coaches, and referees, noting that more than 3% of the district's population practices football, a value that exceeds the ratios indicated by UEFA itself.
