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At the end of October, the 5th edition of the Corporate Sports Awards Gala, organized by the Sports Foundation, celebrated and recognized the athletes and companies that stood out in 2024 for their contribution to promoting sports in Portugal.

The event brought together some of the biggest names in national sports, such as Olympic champions in Athletics Fernanda Ribeiro and Carlos Lopes, World, European, and Olympic medalist in Canoeing Fernando Pimenta. Also noteworthy was the presence of the national team coach Roberto Martinez, and some of the country's top young sports talents, such as Diogo Cancela, bronze medalist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and gymnast Gabriel Albuquerque, who secured one of this year’s Olympic diplomas for Portugal in Trampolining.

Among the nine awards presented, one of the biggest surprises of the night was the recognition of Grupo Alves Bandeira, along with Banco BPI, with the "Sports Support” Award. This award, presented by the Inatel Foundation, aims to recognize companies that stand out in promoting and supporting Portuguese sports and athletes.

As Grupo Alves Bandeira begins its 50th-anniversary celebrations, although the official milestone will only be in 2025, this award holds a special symbolism. This recognition highlights the discrete yet effective work the Group has carried out in consistently supporting various athletes, associations, clubs, and sporting events in multiple disciplines and regions across the country.

Pedro Mascarenhas, Marketing Director of Grupo Alves Bandeira, expressed his gratitude for the award and reinforced the Group’s commitment to sports in Portugal: "For Grupo Alves Bandeira, sports is a way to contribute to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle while fostering the personal and professional growth of our athletes, encouraging them to achieve their best. It is an honor to see the Group receive this recognition. We leave this event with even more energy to continue our mission, one that we hope more brands and companies will join."

Among the various projects supported or promoted by this 100% Portuguese group, the "Ambassadors of Portugal” program stands out for its impact and importance in launching young athletes. After years of support, some of these athletes are now gaining well-deserved national and international recognition. Supported athletes include Catarina Costa (judo) and Camila Rebelo (swimming), who represented Portugal at the Paris Olympic Games, as well as Diogo Cancela, who won a bronze medal in the 200-meter individual medley at the Paralympic Games. Additionally, Grupo Alves Bandeira supports well-known figures in their respective fields, such as Francisca Laia (canoeing) and Diogo Ventura (enduro), as well as young talents like Martim Marco (motorcycling) and Afonso Gomes (motocross).