Rafa Nadal rallies for the youth of Palma

Rafael Nadal, former number one world tennis player and Mallorca’s best known export, presided over the official inauguration of the Rafa Nadal Foundation Centre in the La Soledad neighbourhood of Palma earlier this week.

Amongst those present were the president of the Consell de Mallorca, Miquel Ensenyat, the foundation’s president, Ana Maria Parera, President of the Govern Balear, Francina Armegol and Mayor of Palma, Jose Hila.

Although the centre had opened its doors to some 50 children in October last year, it had to be housed in temporary facilities belonging to the city council. In October, the centre finally opened in new premises and 140 boys and girls are having the opportunity “to thrive in a positive environment whilst learning good values such as respect, the spirit of excellence and of fellowship,” said Nadal. 

The foundation opened in 2007 and its mission is to offer educational programmes to those at risk of social exclusion with the common denominator being sport, and projects throughout Spain and in India are currently active.