The Vasco da Gama Club was recently recognised by the Ponta Delgada Football Association for their role in contributing to the development of football as part of the Azorean Diaspora.

The honour was bestowed on the club at a gala event last weekend at the São Miguel Science and Technology Park in the city of Lagoa, in the Azores.

The event served to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Ponta Delgada FA, as well as to honour 31 managers, coaches and athletes who have contributed to the development of football in the Azores.

“This honour came as a pleasant surprise to us,” Paul Franco, the president of Vasco da Gama, said.

“We want to thank the Ponta Delgada Football Association for recognising the club and its contributions to football.

“We continue to go from strength to strength. Our senior team has just started its second season back in the First Division after a long absence.

“The club successfully took part in the under-11 International Football Tournament this year and we just started our youth football programme this season.

“Honours such as these are a welcome validation for all the hard work from our coaches and volunteers. Our hope is that football can continue to deepen the relationship between Bermuda and the Azores.

“This reinforces the efforts of the Azorean Government, including the recent visit by His Excellency, the President of the Regional Government, Vasco Cordeiro and a delegation to Bermuda.”

Pauleta, the former Portugal forward, who travelled to Bermuda last summer at the club’s invitation, was also honoured for his career, as well as his contribution to the development of football in the Azores.

Pauleta organised a footballing clinic and helped with fundraising efforts for the Portuguese Cultural Association, a registered charity which oversees the administration of the Portuguese School of Bermuda.

The former head of Clube União Micaelense, Vitor Manuel Borges Brum de Sousa, and one of their players, Diogo Fonseca, were also honoured.

Vasco da Gama Club took part in the under-11 International Football Tournament organised by Clube União Micaelense in April.

Finally, players Luís Soares, Paulo Raimundo and Danildo Accioly were also honoured.

They were part of the São Miguel select team that faced Bermuda in May in a match, which was organised by the Bermuda Football Association in partnership with Vasco da Gama club.