Estepona European City of Sport 2013

It is already a key destination on the Costa del Sol, with long sandy beaches, a cracking old town, fantastic vibe and hundreds of top-end properties boasting views across the Mediterranean and the Sierra Bermeja mountain range.

But in 2013 Estepona has been given yet another boost as it becomes a European City of Sport.

Estepona was told by the evaluation committee at the Association of European Capitals of Sport (ACES) that its management of sport was ‘exemplary’ at both the administrative and town hall level.

Estepona, sometimes labelled the ‘most Spanish’ town in Malaga province, will join 26 other European countries already participating in events and activities at a local, national and international level.

It is one of three Spanish towns to receive the honour this year – the others being Lorca in Murcia and Castelldefels in Catalonia – and joins six other European Cities of Sport 2013.

The accolade is bound to increase the town’s international standing regarding sport and tourism – adding to the many factors making Estepona such a fabulous town, which is extremely close to other key Costa del Sol destinations Marbella, Benahavis, Gaucin and Sotogrande.

Estepona’s Mayor Jose Urbano, who went to the European Parliament in Brussels to collect Estepona’s official European City of Sport flag, said around 50 special sporting events had been planned for the year.

Meanwhile Estepona’s sports councillor Alfonso Caravaca said it was thanks to local sportsmen and sports clubs that the town had been awarded the title.

The town hall certainly worked hard to present their candidature, with a 30-strong team brainstorming ideas since January to increase their chances.

Caravaca added that support from Olympic medallist Fermin Cacho, who won 1500m in the 1992 Games in Barcelona, had also been a great help.

By Eloise Horsfield | Property News | December 24th, 2012

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