THElexandrina Cruz, who today presented her candidacy for the presidency of Rio Ave, of the I Football League, assumed the ambition of returning the club to European competitions in the coming years, being convinced of the team’s growth throughout this season.
“We know that we want to return to European competitions in the near future. I realize that today anyone who sees the sporting moment we are going through has doubts about that, but we are building an ambitious future and I have the deep conviction that in a few seasons we will be where we were relatively recently”, he told the Lusa agency.
The director, who is seeking a second term at the head of the Vila do Conde club, presented her candidacy at the Municipal Youth Center, in front of around 200 people, including the coach of the main team, Vasco Seabra.
Alexandrina Cruz acknowledged that the sporting situation of the Vila-Condense team in the championship, with the current 16th place, “causes concern”, but reiterated her confidence in the work carried out by the new technical team.
“The moment causes concern, but also responsibility. However, and based on the work I see on a daily basis, I am sure that the results will appear. I see the dynamics of Vasco’s (Seabra) work”, he admitted.
The continuity of the project was presented by the director as the main motivation for seeking another three years in office, after a first cycle that she classified as particularly demanding.
“It was really three very difficult years, but there is still a lot to do”, he stated, pointing out the next three years as “decisive for the transformation of Rio Ave’s heritage”.
Among the candidacy’s priorities are connecting with members and fans, strengthening training, the sports project and improving infrastructure.
The director highlighted the size of the club’s training, which, as she revealed, includes 39 teams and more than a thousand athletes, including more than 300 children in football schools.
He also defended the need to create conditions so that the under-23 team can play home games in Vila do Conde.
In the infrastructure chapter, Alexandrina Cruz highlighted the construction of the stadium’s new bench, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028, and the creation of two new natural lawns for the main team’s training.
The president also addressed the possibility of an opposing candidacy emerging, considering the existence of alternatives positive, although she questioned the speech of change presented by potential opponents.
“It’s healthy, it’s democratic, it shows that Rio Ave is alive”, he stated, highlighting, however, the importance of preserving the “excellent relationship of trust” that currently exists with the investor who owns 80% of the sports company, Greek businessman Evangelos Marinakis.
“If they say we are not in a crisis, and if we want to maintain a good relationship with investors, I don’t understand why they say it’s time for change”, he concluded.
The elections for the presidency of Rio Ave are scheduled for November 14th, with this Wednesday being the deadline for submitting the lists.
