“Play Fair at UCA: Sport Educates” Campaign Receives the 2025 Andalusia Sports Award 6 March 2026
UCA Rector Casimiro Mantell received the award recognising this university initiative aimed at promoting respect, coexistence and equality through sport.
The campaign “Play Fair at UCA: Sport Educates”, promoted by the University of Cádiz, has been recognised with the 2025 Andalusia Sports Award for the Best Initiative for the Prevention of and Fight Against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, Intolerance and Sexist Behaviour in Sport.
The award was presented during the ceremony held on Wednesday at the Gran Teatro Falla in Cádiz, where the Regional Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Government of Andalusia honoured outstanding athletes, clubs and institutions from the Andalusian sporting community.
This recognition highlights an initiative promoted by the University of Cádiz that views university sport as an educational tool and as a space for promoting values such as respect, coexistence, equality and fair play. Through this campaign, the institution reinforces its commitment to encouraging sporting practices based on ethical principles and the prevention of discriminatory or violent behaviour.
The award was collected by the Rector of the University of Cádiz, Casimiro Mantell.
Recognition of the Andalusian sporting community
The ceremony brought together representatives from the sporting, institutional and social sectors, in an annual event that recognises the achievements and careers of athletes, teams and organisations linked to sport in Andalusia.
Several awards were presented across different categories, acknowledging both sporting excellence and initiatives that contribute to the development of sport in the autonomous community.
Among this year’s award winners, the Seville-born motorcycle racer José Antonio Rueda received the Best Male Athlete Award after becoming Moto3 World Champion. Meanwhile, the race walker from Granada María Pérez was recognised as Best Female Athlete following her gold medals in the 20 km and 35 km race walk events at the World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo.
The Best Athlete with a Disability Award went to the Huelva-born athlete José Nicolás Castaño, who has achieved significant international success, including gold medals at the European Indoor Championships (800 metres), the World Cross Country Championships (2,000 metres), and the World Team Cross Country Championships. In the women’s category, the award was presented to the Malaga surfer Sarah Almagro for her results at the World and European Adaptive Surfing Championships, where she won gold.
Young talents and team awards
The Male Sports Promise Award went to basketball player Guillermo del Pino from Córdoba after winning the Under-18 EuroBasket Championship with the Spanish national team. In the women’s category, the award was shared ex aequo by shooters Noelia Pontes and Irene del Rey, following their first place at the European TRAP Shooting Championship and second place in the Women’s European Team Championship.
In the team categories, the Best Male Team Award was shared by Unicaja Baloncesto and CD Amivel. The Málaga basketball club was recognised after winning the FIBA Basketball Champions League and the Copa del Rey, while the Vélez-Málaga wheelchair basketball club received the award for winning the EuroCup 3.
The Best Female Team Award went to CAB Estepona following its promotion to the Liga Femenina Endesa.
The Best Academic Record Award for an Athlete – Javier Imbroda Prize was presented to the rower from Cádiz Esther Fuerte in recognition of her international sporting achievements and academic excellence, with an average mark of 9.2 in the second year of Bachillerato.
The jury also granted special mentions to the padel player Carolina Navarro, the rally driver José Luis Criado, the equestrian rider Luis Astolfi, the Andalusian Bowling Federation, and the Mediterranean Games Almería 2005 on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the event.