The ‘Premios Nacionales del Deporte’ (Spanish national sport awards) are awarded to people or entities that whether through direct action or personal initiative participate in the development of sports, have made an outstanding contribution to promoting and highlighting the importance of physical and sporting activity.
Winner of the 2014 ‘Premio Infanta Sofia’ award was ‘Special Hockey+’ – a parahockey project which enables young people with intellectual disabilities to enjoy and take part in sport and play hockey. This award recognises those who have made an impactful contribution to promoting and encouraging physical activity, with a focus on disability.
Instigated by the Catalan Hockey Federation in 2006 and coordinated by Jordi Lobo, there are currently 23 Special Hockey+ teams with nearly 300 young people playing hockey. 2013 saw the addition of a league to the project.
Present to receive this award from the King and Queen of Spain, were Santiago Deo, President of the Presidente Federación Española de Hockey, Narcis Carrió, President of the Federación Catalana de Hockey, Joaquín Ballesteros and Ignacio Monsalve from Club de Campo, as well as Jordi Lobo, Carmen Hernández, the project’s trainer and one of the players, José Niño.
