Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 12:29
The ball is still rising. The 51st edition of the Social Tournament and the 8th edition of the Zaramaga Women’s Tournament will bring together 189 couples and 378 pelotaris this year. This figure “is maintained in relation to last year, which confirms that “at the championship level it is in good health”, in the words of José Miguel Pérez, president of the Zaramaga Pelota Club. The competition will begin this Thursday, January 15 and will continue until May 21, passing through all categories.
“Seeing more women stand out is a sign that the future is in everyone’s hands,” claimed Leire Garai, responsible for the women’s tournament on equality that once again stands out. 12 couples complete the promising female category and in May another four elite couples will compete in the semifinals and the final. Garai will not be able to compete in this competition since he still has an injury, which still does not allow him to jump or run, and he has assured that “I want to return to 100% because there are usually many relapses.”
Along the same lines, the Councilor for Sports, Ana López de Uralde, has stressed that “we are not going to go back one step in women’s sports” since “it is not just about equality but about sporting justice and the future.”
A tournament that breathes closeness without losing competitiveness. “The entire base is brought together with the best of Euskadi”, a combination that Ane Ibáñez, president of the Alavesa Pelota Federation, defines as “the essence of Zaramaga.” Although, due to its recognition, it also manages to capture the attention of foreigners with participation from Zaragoza in this edition.
In addition to its competitive level, the tournament maintains its social and popular character that maintains its commitment to free access to the matches. “It is free and will continue to be, no one charges anything for this, it is done for the love of art,” Pérez stated. An opportunity for those familiar with the sport and those not so familiar to experience “different environments because there will be those who will enjoy a good game and those who will cheer on their children, grandchildren or friends,” said the president of the Zaramaga Ball Club. Now, he states that in the game “there are no favorites” and “whoever reaches 22 points first” will win.
