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Nova III Solidarity Paddle Tournament
III SOLIDARITY PADDLE TOURNAMENT
Bring the Coast’s real estate professionals together in support of worthy charitable causes, add an engaging industry conference as well as friendly football matches and a charity paddle tournament – not forgetting the inspired leadership of José Carlos León – and you have the ingredients for the most successful property-related event in years!
WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NVOGA MARBELLA REALTY
José Carlos León is a busy man; as the founder and CEO of NVOGA Marbella Realty he runs a successful real estate company that is the commercialising sole agent for numerous signature developments on the Costa del Sol – an expertise the company has become well-known for. While this in itself is more than enough to keep most people engaged there is more, for he is also the President and one of the driving forces behind the LPA (Leading Property Agents of Spain), a quality network of real estate companies he has helped to bring back to life, and as part of which he works tirelessly to bring together the business sector and local authorities in a drive to promote quality, professionalism and excellence in real estate services. And yet he finds the time to do even more, in a show of community spirit and business leadership seldom seen in these parts. He always wanted to do something special for the community, to help those in need, and was inspired by the travels of one of his team members at NVOGA, María José Jiménez, who returned from a trip to Uganda keen to help village children whose school had been partly destroyed by storms. José Carlos took up the challenge and the Solidarity Paddle Tournament of the real estate sector was born. “We wanted to help people less fortunate than ourselves and give these kids a chance in life. The real estate industry and residential tourism are more and more important to the Costa del Sol, and this is why we had the idea to join forces with all the professionals of the sector for a good cause, and a paddle tennis tournament formed the starting point from which a now pretty comprehensive event has evolved.”
José Carlos León of Nvoga – organiser and host
III SOLIDARITY PADDLE TOURNAMENT OF THE COSTA DEL SOL PROPERTY SECTOR
The first edition, held back in 2019, was a roaring success, donating €24.500 from which €20.000 went to a new pavilion with classroom in Uganda where children can study in a safe and comfortable environment. The project revitalised the school and gave new impulse to the local community too. We also donated €4.500 to CADI (Centro de Atención a la Diversidad Infantil de Marbella), who provide children with equine therapy. Covid meant the second edition had to wait until 2021, when the event held at Reserva del Higuerón Resort in Fuengirola took off in even greater fashion, bringing over 140 paddle players together as well as property professionals from across the region, who contributed to one of the most successful real estate conferences on the Costa del Sol for years. ›
Round table discussion with key representatives from the local construction sector
Last year, €65.000 was raised, from which €30.000 went towards the construction of a second pavilion in Uganda, with local charities also receiving much-needed funds raised during the tournament, each one received €5.000 (Avoi, Cadi, Debra Piel de Mariposa and Fuensocial). It was going to be tough to better this in the third edition, but when the Mayor of Estepona offered the full and enthusiastic support of the Town Hall for this wonderful initiative, José Carlos knew that he could raise the bar even higher. As he says: “There is no official organising body, it’s all done by the NVOGA team, our collaborators and sponsors, working together with entities such as the Estepona Town Hall, so all of us involved do it in a voluntary capacity alongside our other activities, and this is exactly what gives the Solidarity Tournament such a special feel.”
It is also one of the reasons behind its success, apart from of course lots of hard work and a good dose of creativity. “We wanted to improve and expand, so we felt we had to use this opportunity to achieve two things: bring the area’s real estate companies and professionals together in an open, cooperative environment where we can learn from each other, and while doing so raise as much money as possible to support the charities here and abroad.” The paddle tournament and friendly football matches between local teams and property professionals were topped with a fun dinner and dance evening with fashion show, prize-giving and live entertainment by Yanela Brooks, while the real estate conference was given a highly creative and engaging modern format.
OVER €80.000 RAISED!
With the Estepona Town Hall kindly offering the use of its new football stadium and the Teatro Auditorio Felipe VI, the stage was set for a fantastic event, which kicked off with three matches between veterans of Estepona CD, and both Spanish and Rest of the World teams made up of players from the real estate sector. The international team took the title on Wednesday 1st June, followed by over 400 of their colleagues attending a highly entertaining and informative conference enlivened with the music and dance of the African ‘Ballet Sunugal’ and impactful acrobatic dance routine by Duonika from Ukraine. José Carlos shone as the host, fluidly bringing together expert discussions about a variety of well-chosen topics affecting the sector now and in the coming years.
ROUND TABLE 1 – REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE
The discussion involved Pia Arrieta (CEO of DM Properties), Sergey Sinichkin (founder of Drumelia), Angela Schouten (Managing Director of FM Property Realty Group), Setareh Mohregi (International Department Director & Institutional Relations Costa del Sol for Gilmar) and Jesus García (Managing Director of Banús Rentals) about the real estate market situation in the recent past, the present boom and a vision of the near future. Another important subject debated was the Metaverse, and if the Costa del Sol is ready for it.
ROUND TABLE 2 – CONSTRUCTION
A table of construction experts including Rubén Solis (CEO of B. Solis), Javier Curto (CEO of Concept Homes International), Pablo Villaroel (Owner of Villaroel Torrico Arquitectos), Ignacio Peinado (President of the Developer Association ACP Málaga) and José Félix Perez-Peña (member of the management team of Savills Spain and head of its Andalusian division, discussed the shortages of materials, qualified workers and the rising cost of construction. ›
Round Table 3 discussion on Branding the Future
A fantastic performance of acrobatic dance by Duanika from Ukraine
ROUND TABLE 3 – LET’S BRAND THE FUTURE
The third and final round table conversation involved Massimiliano Ferrari (CEO of CORPORATE BRAND), Juan José Millán (Chief Strategy Officer for Idiliq Group), Ziad El Khoury (the CEO of Fort Partners, Four Seasons), Ignacio Alonso (Corporate Relations Manager at Pacaso) and Ignacio Pérez (Executive Chairman of La Zagaleta).
Well-represented by leading members of the Costa del Sol’s real estate sector and made possible by the collaboration of an impressive list of sponsors, the focus moved to the verdant, beachside surroundings of the Racquet Club Villa Padierna, where 160 players competed for the prizes, followed by a glamorous evening of dinner, dance, music and fashion under the stars. In all, over €80.000 was raised, of which €40.000 will go to Uganda, to construct another building that will bring schooling to over 300 students. Each of the following associations will receive €5.000: Spanish Association against Cancer of Estepona, Ubuntu, Paula y la Fabrica de Medula, Victoria Kent proyecto Andaluces con Ucrania and Fundación Cesare Scariolo. The Building the Future initiative received a prize from Inmociate with a €3.000 donation that was part of the Victoria Kent project for Ukrainian refugees.
“I am so grateful to everyone who was been involved, from my team and the Mayor and Town Hall of Estepona, to Villa Padierna, our wonderful sponsors, the 140 companies who collaborated and donated amazing prizes. Also those who came together in an atmosphere of open communication and solidary – as a result of which we raised over €80.000 for such worthy causes here and in Uganda.” Mission achieved, and now we look forward to the fourth edition!"
PADDLE TOURNAMENT WINNERS
The exciting final of each category was held on Sunday 5 June and the winners were: Z Mixed B: Javier Ruiz and Carlota Ruiz, who received a dinner for two at La View Los Arqueros and Magnum Vino, courtesy of Casa Santi. Z Mixed A: Grantley Harris and Camino Llamazares. Their
prize was two tickets to Starlite Marbella, courtesy of Drumelia as well as one night at Cortijo del Mar (courtesy of FM Properties Realty Group) and Bondre Mirador de Estepona Hills (courtesy of Mirador de Estepona Hills). Z 5 Female: The winners were Cris González and Rocío Ruiz, who received a dinner for two at Amarillo, courtesy of Livingstone Estates, and a €100 gift voucher courtesy of Chocofruits. Z 4 Female: Judith Mendiolagotia and Chus Fernández were the winners of this category, receiving dinners at Coa Nueva Andalucía and the Bardot Restaurant at the Meliá Don Pepe, as well as a basket and hat from Mar de Coral and a bag and sunglasses By Niuma. Z 3 Female: The winners were Paula Rucklova and Bárbara Gallardo, each receiving a treatment at Jack Dessange and a night for two at La Ciudadela Marbella Hotel. Z 4 Male: Adrián Caballero and Manuel Sánchez were the winners in this category, receiving a paletero and paddle tennis shoes from Bendita Stampa as prizes. Z 3 Male: Winners Gilles Louvet and Diego Calabvig, whose prize consisted of an experience at Lobito de Mar and another at Leña, both from the Dani García group, as well as a massage at Mazzini and Mind, and a session at the Vincci Estrella del Mar Spa. Z 2 Male: Ricardo Calamita and Francisco Giménez won this category, with their prizes three gourmet days and two nights with breakfast and dinner for two courtesy of Azul Marino Viajes, as well as a dinner for two at La Sala, courtesy of La Sala Banús, and another dinner for two people at the Marbella Club Grill.
g Tel: (+34) 952 813 333. www.bthefuture.org
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