The 2nd Lusophony Games, the sports event held for Portuguese-speaking
countries, began on Saturday 11th July in Lisbon, Portugal,
with the theme “Unity is more important than victory”.
The colourful opening ceremony, which featured various dancing and singing items, took place at the Atlantic Pavilion in the presence of the President of the Portuguese Republic, Mr. Aníbal Cavaco Silva, and in the presence of the President of the Portuguese NOC, Mr. Josè Vicente Moura, as well as many personalities from the world of sport and politics come from the 12 participating countries: Portugal of course, but also Brazil, Macau, Cape Verde, India, Sri Lanka, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, and Timor-Leste.
EOC President Patrick Hickey, who attended the Opening Ceremony,
congratulated the Association of the Olympic Committees of the Portuguese Speaking
Countries (ACOLOP), the NOC and the Portuguese sports leaders for the excellent organisation of the most important sports event ever held in Lisbon – a quality of organisation that the EOC will be able to exploit in November, when the 49 NOCs of Europe will be in the Portuguese capital for their annual General Assembly.
The Games, which will continue until 19th July, will give1500 Portuguese speaking athletes
the chance to compete in 70 events in the following sports: athletics, football, beach football (Footsal), basketball, volleyball, beach volley, judo, table tennis and taekwondo.