17 Mar 2012 at 16:50 | Published by: Hans | Views: 12970 | News search

Andre Campos leading the preparations for Porto 2012  (Photo by Andre Campos 2012)

Interview with Andre Campos (AC), Portugal and the Clube de Minigolfe do Porto

This interview was done the 17th of March 2012. The Interviewer is Hans Bergström (HB).

HB: First of all thank you for letting Minigolfnews interview you about the preparations for the Nations Cup and European Championships in Porto. Can you tell us on how the preparations are going?

AC: Hi Hans. Thank you for your interest in the organization of the European Championship 2012.

About the preparation of the Championship, it is going on very well. We have begun in January 2011 and we have made or we are arranging some partnerships with public institutions, private companies, and a hotel chain. It has everything to be unforgettable.

HB: How many are working in the EC-organization?

AC: The organizing committee is composed by 9 persons. I am responsible for the organization committee and the majority of my co-workers are minigolf players with international experience (André Silva, João Fontes, Artur Lopes, Tiago Pinto – some of them have been in Stockholm 2011) .

HB: Can you tell us about how the EC will be like if everything works as plan?

AC: We try to keep it real so, according to our plans, we expect to have the opening and the closing ceremonies in a five star hotel. The closing ceremonies will be provided with both music and entertainers. The players’ tent will be a very comfortable place, with space for catering and just 10mts away from the entrance of the course.

We also have an innovation: each team will have a buddy. This will be a young person, fluent in English and, when possible, in the language of the team’s country too. Their mission is to help with everything the team needs, at any time. For instance, they will be waiting for the team at the airport and they will have a telephone number that the team can call if they need any advice, for example, on which restaurant to have dinner at, or on the timetable of the bus to go to the city center.

HB: Can you tell us about the courses?

AC: The courses are in perfect condition as they were renewed recently. The miniature golf course was totally renewed last year and the minigolf course, last month. I was in the course yesterday and the artificial grass was being set in lane 7. Both of them have very good averages, with blue results being an achievable reality.

HB: What weather conditions will likely meet the participants?

AC: As you know, Portugal has a Mediterranean climate and both in May and August we can expect sun and warm weather. The levels of rain during those months are very low, so we can expect very good conditions for the practice of minigolf.

HB: On your website you recommend some accommodation alternatives. How far from the courses are those? Do you need rental cars?

AC: The Hotel Fénix chain is composed by 4 hotels in Porto all of which are very near to the course. The 5 star hotel of the chain is just 5 minutes away by car, and 30 minutes on foot (a walk by the riverside with an astonishing view) . The hotel has some options of transportation to the course, if the teams are interested.

HB: Can you tell us little about the town of Porto? How big is the town? Is it famous for anything? Any special landmarks to visit?

AC: Porto is one of the oldest towns of Portugal and the second most important one. So, here you can find beautiful and ancient monuments (e.g.: Clerigos’ Tower, which is present in our logo) and also very modern buildings as the House of Music that was built for Porto 2001 – European Capital of Culture, and hosts some of the most important musicians in the world. Of course we can’t forget the food (no one can come and go without trying the so very famous“Francesinha”, a sandwich with cheese, steak, ham and a beer hot sauce that was born in Porto) and the wine, because everyone knows Port wine, a sweet alcoholic drink that is made with unique grapes grown in the Douro valley.

HB: How many participants do you expect or hope for in August?

AC: We are making our previsions based on the numbers of the last two European championships, but we believe that we can increase that number as Porto has a lot of low cost flights from almost every part of Europe, and is a relatively affordable city within the European paradigm.

HB: What are you hoping of in terms of Portuguese chances in the Championships?

AC: This course is the home of the biggest club in Portugal (the Clube de Minigolfe do Porto represents 60% of the players of the Portuguese National Championship), so it is studied by a lot of players, some of which with some national titles and international presences, so we can conclude that the course has no secrets for us. Apart from this, it’s all about the preparation of the 11 players (7 men+4 women) that will take place in the next months, until the D days in August.

HB: Is there anything you would like to say to the players that are thinking of maybe participating in August? Why should they come to Porto?

AC: Yes, I want them to know that we are working hard every day to have an unforgettable tournament in all aspects. And part of this work is about supporting all the players and teams in their logistic arrangements, as such, we have one member of the committee just dedicated to this topic. So, if you have any doubt or any question, do not hesitate in contacting Rita Loureiro (rita.loureiro@clubeminigolfeporto.com).

HB: Thank you very much and Good Luck with the preparations.

AC: Thanks for the opportunity, Hans.

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