The surfer from Marbella and winner of the Andalusian Medal for Sport, Sarah Almagro, has been the protagonist of a new day of the ‘Mentor 10′ programme at the Tierras de Oria Juvenile Offenders Detention Centre, launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, with the aim of promoting the values of sport and healthy lifestyle habits. This edition has gone one step further by reaching health centres, neighbourhoods, marginalised groups, educational centres, clubs, neighbourhood associations, women’s associations and penitentiary centres.
The territorial delegate for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Juan José Alonso, has assured that “thanks to this initiative, the minors at the Oria Offenders’ Detention Centre have been able to experience first-hand the experience of an extraordinary sportswoman like Sarah Almagro. An activity that we are sure will serve to show how sport is an outlet and a way to have healthy lifestyle habits.”
The delegate stressed that this programme “was launched because we saw the need for Andalusian sportspeople who are just starting out to have role models to look up to, who could serve as a guide and as a stimulus to grow as a person and as an athlete, thanks to the values that sport provides.” Alonso added that “sport helps us develop skills and internalise universal values such as respect, self-improvement, humility and equality. From the Andalusian Government we want to promote effort, commitment and solidarity as ways to achieve a better future for all.”
The Delegate for Justice, Local Administration and Civil Service, Rebeca Gómez, also participated in this event. During the meeting, she stated that “Sarah’s career is a source of inspiration that we can apply to our own lives. Her achievements are not only a demonstration of her ability, but also a beacon of hope. Her story shows us that regardless of the circumstances, one can choose to be brave. Effort and perseverance, accompanied by the right guidance, are always worthwhile.”
The delegate encouraged the young people “to look for positive role models in their lives, like Sarah Almagro, who inspire them to overcome any obstacle, to change their destiny and to become role models. They must trust and take advantage of this opportunity to start over, learn and grow.” Rebeca Gómez made it clear to the participating minors that all the people who make up the Juvenile Justice system of the Junta de Andalucía firmly believe in them and in their ability to transform their lives, and that they themselves must be sure that they can achieve it.
Mentor 10
The Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport organises the Mentor 10 programme, which promotes the values of this discipline through figures who, due to their leadership position, are an example for society. In this way, it has active and retired athletes to carry out training activities aimed at all types of groups and to be mentors of athletes in training who stand out for their talent.
In the educational field, apart from contributing to the optimisation of the process of training sports talents at school age, it encourages healthy lifestyle habits and promotes values such as the culture of effort, respect for diversity, fair play, or consideration of the adversary and the judge or referee.
Sarah Almagro
Sarah Almagro is an example of overcoming difficulties. At the age of 18, meningococcal meningitis caused her to lose her hands and feet, but her mental strength and the unconditional support of those around her transformed these difficult circumstances into a path of effort, work and sporting achievements, as she has been world champion in adapted surfing, as well as European and Spanish champion – the latter on three occasions. Major milestones in her career that have recently culminated with the distinction of the Andalusian Sports Medal, which she received from the hands of the president of the Andalusian Government, Juanma Moreno.