Eight years ago this September a group of like minded older gentlemen were instrumental in launching Walking Football in Portugal at Olhão.
East Algarve Walking Football (EAWF) has come a long way in that time, winning many trophies, welcoming numerous teams from the UK and Europe, and supporting a wide range of charities in the area. I have been honoured to be President of EAWF, but the time has come for us all to move on.
Many people have given freely, and continue to give freely, of their time which is so important to ensure that EAWF remains the prominent walking football club in Iberia. In recent times I have had certain concerns regarding the direction and development of EAWF, and after lengthy consideration I feel now is the right time for me to call it a day.
I had hoped that my sabbatical would see me return envigorated and with a new lease of life, but that has not been the case. I therefore intend to step down from the honorary position of President of EAWF together with my position on various sub-committees. I am sure that Walking Football will continue to thrive and will remain an important part of people’s lives here in the Algarve.
I hope you will accept these comments in the spirit they are intended as they are in no way meant to be critical of the organisation, which has been, and will always remain, an integral part of my time in Portugal. I have several non-sports related projects I hope to pursue which will keep me occupied for some time to come.
Thanking you all for your friendship and comradeship over the years.
Chris Wright