Xàtiva Honors Female Football Pioneer Angy Sanchis and Launches ‘Igualdad más Deporte’ 2026 Program to Promote Equality in Sports
Xàtiva honors female football pioneer Angy Sanchis with its third women’s football tournament, while Extremadura launches its 2026 'Igualdad más Deporte' program to promote gender equality and inclusion in sport.
- • Xàtiva hosted the III Torneo de Fútbol Femenino honoring Angy Sanchis, featuring eight teams and inclusive sports displays.
- • CF Gandía won the fútbol-8 tournament without losses, emphasizing teamwork and possession.
- • The Fundación Jóvenes y Deporte opened applications for the 2026 'Igualdad más Deporte' program, with Caja Rural de Extremadura sponsoring.
- • The program funds gender equality plans and inclusion actions for federations, aiming to combat stereotypes and support youth engagement.
- • Application deadline for the program is January 30, 2026, with funding up to €16,000 depending on project type and duration.
Key details
On January 3rd, Xàtiva held its III Torneo de Fútbol Femenino at the Paquito Coloma sports complex, paying tribute to Angy Sanchis Micó, the first female footballer from the city to compete in Spain's Primera División. The tournament featured eight teams competing in three formats, with CF Gandía winning the fútbol-8 tournament unbeaten, showcasing possession and teamwork. The event also included a children’s tournament and an exhibition by the Club d’Esports Adaptats l’Esglai, emphasizing inclusion and diversity. Over 300 attendees witnessed celebrations that highlighted grassroots growth and inclusivity in women’s football.
In parallel, La Fundación Jóvenes y Deporte launched the 2026 call for its ‘Igualdad más Deporte’ (I+Dxt) program, now in its ninth edition. Sponsored this year by Caja Rural de Extremadura, the program supports Extremadura’s sports federations in promoting gender equality and inclusivity. Federations can apply for funds ranging from €3,000 to €16,000 to develop equality plans or inclusive actions for environments integrating people with and without disabilities. The application deadline is January 30, 2026. The initiative aims to combat gender stereotypes, reduce youth sports dropout rates, and foster inclusive sports participation.
These developments represent significant institutional and community efforts in Spain to advance women's football and equal opportunities in sports, continuing the momentum toward greater inclusion and recognition of female athletes.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
