## Spanish Archery: Aiming for Paris 2024 with New Partnerships and Strategies
Spanish archery is gearing up for the Paris 2024 Olympics with a renewed focus on securing funding and expanding its reach. A recent partnership with Iberdrola, a leading energy company, will inject €150,000 over the next three years, bolstering the federation’s resources and supporting women’s sports initiatives through the Women’s Universe program [[1]].
This financial boost comes at a crucial time, as the Spanish archery team faces challenges in securing crucial ADO scholarships. The postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the pandemic, coupled with the team’s performance, resulted in the loss of these scholarships, which are typically awarded based on performance in major international competitions.
Despite these setbacks, the federation remains optimistic. Vicente Martínez Orga, president of the Spanish Archery federation, highlights the team’s strong performance at the World Championships, emphasizing that in a typical year, this would have secured scholarship funding. He acknowledges the financial impact of losing the scholarships, which previously amounted to €25,000 annually.
The federation’s 2022 budget stands at nearly €1 million, with half coming from the Higher Sports Council subsidy. The remaining funds are generated through license management, State Lotteries and Gambling subsidies, and the new iberdrola sponsorship.
While institutional support is vital, the federation is actively seeking private sponsorships to enhance its financial stability. Currently, NKL, a martial arts equipment supplier, is their only private partner, focusing on equipment and online sales management.
With 19,000 licenses issued, Spanish archery boasts a sizable membership base. However, Martínez Orga estimates that only around 5,000 individuals actively compete, as many maintain licenses due to the legal classification of bows as weapons in Spain.Promoting archery in Spain presents unique challenges, primarily due to limited facilities. Madrid, for instance, has only three dedicated archery facilities, and Catalonia’s CAR of San Cugat lacks any. Despite these hurdles, the federation operates approximately 600 clubs across the country, demonstrating a dedicated community of archers.
looking ahead, the Spanish Archery Federation had aspirations to host the 2025 World Championship, World Cup final, and World Archery Congress. Though, South Korea, a dominant force in archery and a close ally of international organizations, was chosen rather. This decision highlights the competitive landscape of international archery, where sponsorships and political alliances play a meaningful role. Hyundai, a South Korean car manufacturer, exemplifies this trend, serving as the title sponsor of the World Cup and an official sponsor of World Archery.Despite the disappointment, Martínez Orga remains confident in the Spanish team’s ability to qualify for Paris 2024 and achieve success. He emphasizes the team’s strength in team events, recognizing that while they may not have an individual Olympic champion, their collective prowess can propel them to a podium finish.
Good morning, archery enthusiasts! Welcome to our discussion on Spanish archery’s road to Paris 2024.
As we all know, the olympics are the pinnacle of athletic achievement, and the Spanish archery team is leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of glory. It’s exciting to see them embrace a multi-faceted approach, prioritizing both funding and grassroots advancement.
The partnership with Iberdrola is a commendable step. [1]€150,000 over three years signals a significant commitment, and their focus on supporting women’s sports is notably inspiring. This kind of investment can make a world of difference in nurturing talent and fostering a wider pool of athletes.
However, securing funding is just one piece of the puzzle. Expanding archery’s reach is equally crucial. [1]
Introducing archery to a broader audience, particularly younger generations, will ensure a sustainable future for the sport.
I’m eager to hear your thoughts on this: what strategies do you think the Spanish archery federation can employ to further engage the public and inspire the next generation of archers? Let’s keep this conversation going in the comments below.
