Nerja pays tribute to Francisco Ortega "AYO" as a pioneer and promoter of athletics in Nerja

Nerja pays tribute to Francisco Ortega "AYO" as a pioneer and promoter of athletics in Nerja

Nerja, June 24, 2022.-

The sports legend and businessman from Nerja, Francisco Ortega Olalla "AYO" has been honored by the City Council with the inauguration of a sculpture in recognition of his sporting successes as a pioneer of local athletics, and in gratitude for his collaboration in promoting and consolidating athletics in Nerja since 1957. The honoree has been supported by the mayor of Nerja, José Alberto Armijo, the president of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, Raúl Chapado, the president of the Andalusian Federation, Enrique López Cuenca, and more than two hundred people who They have accompanied him in this emotional act.

Francisco Ortega "AYO" has thanked the people of Nerja, the City Council and the mayor for this recognition, and has had a memory for his colleagues who formed the first team of the town that competed in Malaga in 1957 proclaiming themselves provincial champions, which led them to participate in the national championship. For Francisco Ortega ?AYO?, athletics has allowed him to receive values that have guided him in his life, both in personal and business development, and he has defended that youth practice sports to be better people tomorrow.

The mayor, José Alberto Armijo, has highlighted that "with his social behavior, committed, discreet and humble where they exist, Francisco Ortega "AYO", has made himself more than worthy of the recognition of his people", and has described the honoree as a neighbor in love with Nerja, an exemplary active worker at 83 years old, a nationally and internationally recognized entrepreneur, a leading Tourism Ambassador in the promotion of the municipality, committed to sports and athletics and a good person with a huge heart that radiates solidarity and generosity with everyone who has needed it. The mayor has informed that in the next plenary session of the Corporation it will be approved that the street that gives access to the Ciudad Deportiva Stadium and the Covered Pavilion will also bear his name.

Both Raul Chapado and Enrique López Cuenca have praised the sporting achievements of the honoree. The president of the RFEA has underlined the legacy left by Francisco Ortega "AYO" as a pioneer of Nerja and national athletics, making an enormous effort in very difficult conditions. For his part, the president of the FAA has recalled the origins of AYO and its athletic career, filling an entire era of athletes from Nerja, Malaga and Andalusia, and planting the seed that would germinate with the foundation of the Nerja Athletics Club, projecting itself for decades until the celebration in Nerja of the Spanish Championship of Absolute Athletics.