From August 16 to 23, the Tenerife Aquatic Sports Centre in Puerto de la Cruz will host the Women's U-18 Water Polo World Championship, featuring around twenty teams and nearly 400 athletes.
The Tenerife Aquatic Sports Centre (CDAT) in Puerto de la Cruz is preparing to welcome the Women's U-18 Water Polo World Championship from August 16 to 23. The event will bring together twenty national teams and nearly four hundred players aged between 17 and 18 from all five continents, solidifying the island's status as a top-tier venue for international sports.
The competition was officially presented this Thursday at an event attended by institutional, sports, and tourism representatives. Among them were the General Director of Physical Activity and Sports of the Canary Islands Government, María Rojas; the Vice President and Tourism Councillor of the Tenerife Cabildo, Lope Afonso; the Sports Councillor of the Cabildo, Yolanda Moliné; the President of the Royal Spanish Swimming Federation, Fernando Carpena; and the Mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, Leopoldo Afonso, among others.
During the presentation, it was highlighted that the Olympic, world, and European champion Pili Peña, who has recently retired, will serve as the official ambassador for the championship. Her presence provides an additional incentive for the young talents aspiring to follow in her footsteps.
María Rojas emphasized that "it is a source of pride for the Archipelago to host a championship that will make Puerto de la Cruz the meeting point for the best grassroots women's water polo at an international level." She also stressed that this event represents "a strong commitment to women's sports and grassroots sports," in line with the work being carried out by the Canary Islands Government, as many of the young competitors "are set to become the great references of world water polo in the coming years."
For his part, Lope Afonso noted that for Tenerife "it is a tremendous honour to host a World Championship of this nature, as it presents a fantastic opportunity to further position the Island as an international reference in the organisation of major sporting events." The island's Vice President added that this event "will not only project our image abroad and generate economic activity, but it will also reinforce our commitment to sports tourism, a strategic sector thanks to the combination of a privileged climate year-round, top-notch facilities, and a wide range of tourist offerings." He stated that "this World Championship will showcase not only the quality of our facilities but also the hospitality of Tenerife, leaving an important legacy for the Island."
The Mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, Leopoldo Afonso, described hosting the event as "a true pride" for the municipality, as it "represents a unique opportunity to project our city onto the international stage and demonstrate our capacity to organise major sporting events." Afonso stressed that "we want all teams and their companions to find a city that is open, welcoming, and committed to the values of sport, coexistence, and respect. This championship will promote women's sports, inspire our children, strengthen our clubs, and above all, contribute to consolidating Puerto de la Cruz as a reference destination."
The Sports Councillor of the Cabildo, Yolanda Moliné, highlighted the Tenerife Aquatic Sports Centre as "a strategic infrastructure for the present and future of sports on the Island." She assured that "the celebration of this World Championship confirms that we have facilities ready to host major international competitions and also represents a boost to continue promoting grassroots sports." Moliné indicated that "the Cabildo will continue to work in coordination with all administrations to bring high-level national and international competitions to the Island."
The President of the Royal Spanish Swimming Federation, Fernando Carpena, expressed his satisfaction at returning to Tenerife "just a few months after the Junior and Senior Spanish Artistic Swimming Championship." Carpena highlighted that "it is always a pleasure to return to an island that has clearly demonstrated its organisational capacity and has a nationally renowned swimming pool." He added that "the Aquatic Sports Centre meets all the necessary conditions to host a major international championship, and we are convinced that this World Championship will be a success." He thanked the collaboration of the Tenerife Cabildo, the Canary Islands Government, and the Puerto de la Cruz City Council, as "the joint work between institutions makes elite events like this possible."
Regarding the competition format, it will take place over eight days, ensuring that all teams play at least six matches. The event will not only have a sporting impact but also an economic and tourism one, as the arrival of companions, coaches, and fans from around the world is expected. Puerto de la Cruz will thus become the epicentre of grassroots women's water polo for a week, with a programme that will combine competition with parallel activities for visitors.
For the island's residents, the World Championship represents an opportunity to enjoy elite sports in their facilities and see the future stars of water polo in action. Tickets for the matches will be available soon through the official channels of the organisation.
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