The Sociedade Columbófila Olhanense marked, on June 2nd, the 75th anniversary of its foundation, in a ceremony dedicated to the history of the collective and the journey of Algarve and Portuguese pigeon racing.
To mark the date, the community promoted, in partnership with the Parish of Olhão, an exhibition dedicated to the sport, bringing together old rings, measuring devices, trophies and other objects linked to the evolution of pigeon racing over the last few decades.
According to pigeon fancier José Carlos, this is “a date of great significance for a community with a remarkable history in the history of Algarve and Portuguese pigeon racing”.
The initiative aims to value the sporting and associative heritage of the Sociedade Columbófila Olhanense, recognizing the role played by the institution in promoting pigeon racing and preserving the memory of the sport.
Entities were present at the ceremony
The ceremony was attended by several official entities, including the president of the Olhão Parish Council, Rui Gabriel, the mayor of Olhão, Ricardo Calé, the president and vice-president of the Portuguese Pigeon Racing Federation, António Branco and Bruno Helena, respectively, and the president of the International Pigeon Racing Federation, David Barros Madeira.
José Carlos also pointed out that, “strangely, the Pigeon Racing Association of the District of Faro was not represented”.
During the session, the president of the Sociedade Columbófila Olhanense, José Daniel Lopes Santos, was awarded the Golden Medal and the Diploma of the Portuguese Pigeon Racing Federation, in recognition of the contribution made by the collective to national pigeon racing over 75 years.
Rui Gabriel, president of the Olhão Parish Council, wished the institution sporting and social success, offering the council’s coat of arms and a congratulatory plaque to the celebrating community.
Souvenirs from the International Pigeon Racing Federation were also handed out, through its president, David Barros Madeira, to municipal managers Ricardo Calé and Rui Gabriel.
José Daniel Lopes Santos offered the official entities present plaques commemorating the 75th anniversary of the .
Exhibition runs until June 29th
According to information sent by pigeon fancier José Carlos, Ricardo Calé, president of the Municipal Council of Olhão, congratulated the community on another anniversary and said that, once the new variant of Olhão has been completed, the creation of the Aldeia Pigeon fancier of Olhão is envisaged, “in the not too distant future”, seen as “a structuring and dignifying work for pigeon racing in Olhão”.
The ceremony ended with a convivial drink at the collective’s headquarters, in an atmosphere of unity and celebration, and the birthday cake was also shared after the traditional moment of congratulations.
The exhibition is open to the public from the 2nd to the 29th of June, in the gallery at the Olhão Parish Council headquarters, and can be visited from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 4:30pm, with free entry.
The event is organized by the Olhão Parish Council, in partnership with the Sociedade Columbófila Olhanense and with the support of the Olhão City Council.
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