Roughly 70 participants aged 50 and older gathered at the Municipal Sports Ground in Estômbar for the I Torneio de Walking Football do Algarve. The October 23 event brought together five squads in Lagoa to promote active aging, physical fitness, and social inclusion through a modified version of traditional association football. Conceived as a recreational and inclusive initiative, the event aimed to give greater visibility to the discipline across the region and encourage lifelong physical exercise.
Five Teams Compete in Lagoa for I Torneio de Walking Football do Algarve
Organized by ADR – CCS Quinta de S. Pedro in partnership with RUTIS and backed by the Municipality of Lagoa, the tournament featured a diverse lineup of regional organizations. The competing sides included the host ADR – Quinta de S. Pedro alongside the Aljustrel Senior University, ASAS – Senior Academy of Arts and Knowledge, Klubesol Fuseta, and Portimonense Walking Football. The morning schedule kicked off at 9:00 a.m. local time, welcoming community spectators with free admission. More information regarding the gathering can be obtained by contacting the phone number 928 413 032 or via the email address [email protected].
Unlike standard soccer, walking football enforces a rule: players walk instead of run, minimizing physical strain while retaining the benefits of physical exercise, team coordination, and social interaction. The format is intentionally designed to be accessible for older adults. The competition promotes mixed-gender teams, ensuring male and female athletes participate side by side on the pitch.
Municipal Backing and Social Integration Anchor the Algarve Initiative
During the closing ceremony, the president of the Municipal Chamber of Lagoa, Luís Encarnação, congratulated the organizers and competitors while emphasizing the discipline’s value for older demographics. Encarnação stated that the tournament directly aligns with municipal sports strategy, which is built upon the foundational principle of “Desporto para Todos”. Beyond the matches themselves, the organizers structured the gathering to foster community ties, mutual sharing among participating institutions, and inter-club camaraderie.
The day concluded with a communal lunch that extended the social atmosphere well beyond the final whistle. Organizers from ADR Quinta de S. Pedro emphasized that the project extends far beyond simple recreation, aiming to raise regional awareness of walking football as a viable tool for enhancing life quality and social engagement for residents aged 50 and up.
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