"We assume that we want to build, design and execute what we are calling, for now, a comprehensive plan for sports in our country. But we do not want to bring this comprehensive plan, show it to you and present it to you. We want to build from the bottom up, with everyone, a national plan, in the broadest sense of the word, for sports in our country", explained Pedro Duarte.

In his speech at the 27th Sports Gala, which took place today at the Pavilhão Carlos Lopes, in Lisbon, the person responsible for Sports issued a challenge to those present: "Let us all build this country that is more open to sports".

Before, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs had begun his speech by highlighting the importance of being present at "such an important moment, so significant in the sports life" of the country and greeting "all the federations, all the leaders, all the athletes, all the coaches, all the families that are behind" those honoured today by the Portuguese Sports Confederation (CDP).

"As many will know, I am practically at the beginning of this journey and this responsibility, which is an enormous privilege for me, of being able to oversee an area, a sector, such as the sports sector, in the Government of the Republic. [...]. And for me, in these first days of office, to be able to participate in a meeting like this, in which the family of national sports gathers in such a touching, beautiful way, is for me, in fact, also an enormous privilege. But, more than that, it is an enormous honour for me to be able to honestly be a part of this moment in Portuguese sports", he said.

Saying that he wanted to recognise "all those honoured" and nominated at the Sports Gala, Pedro Duarte recalled that "behind the athletes there is, in fact, an entire structure that is very significant, that goes from the coaches that are by their side, to perhaps the more hidden leader, less visible, but whose work in fact is absolutely crucial".

"I wanted to leave a message, which is also a challenge, for everyone: that we all know how to maintain this unity, this union, this spirit of knowing how to build together. [...] And if we have this capacity, all together, to build a country that is more open to sports, that promotes the values of sports, that understands the benefits of more physical activity in the entire population, that understands that it is necessary to reduce the difference between what is men's sports and what is women's sports, that understands that there are so many types of concepts of living together, of respect, of integrity, that should be a part of the values of sports and that sports should contaminate society with these good values", he noted.

The minister also praised Pedro Dias, the Secretary of State for Sports, defending that he was happy to "have a team captain" who is "an exceptional reinforcement".

The 27th Sports Gala today distinguished the swimmer Diogo Ribeiro and the cyclist Maria Martins as Athletes of the Year of 2023, with Carlos Lopes, Olympic marathon champion in Los Angeles1984, receiving the High Prestige Award, the highest distinction of the CDP.