Banco Sabadell transforms Barcelona Open service points into solidarity

Sant Jordi's Day and the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Trofeo Conde de Godó are two characteristic events of Barcelona's spring. The lockdown prevented their celebration in 2020, but this year there is a desire to once again enjoy books and roses in the street and also to see players like Rafa Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Kei Nishikori, Roberto Bautista, or Albert Ramos play good tennis matches. The tournament kicked off on Saturday at the facilities of the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona (RCTB) and, although it is very different from previous editions due to health restrictions, it is very important that it has been able to take place, since outside of football it is the main international sports event hosted by the city.

Despite the uncertainty currently surrounding the world of sport and its sponsors, Banco Sabadell renewed its sponsorship of the tournament for another year, to which it has been linked since 2007. The commitment to the city and to an event with which it shares values such as effort, the desire for self-improvement, respect, and fair play have made Sabadell the main sponsor for the fourteenth consecutive time of one of the most traditional tournaments on the ATP World Tour 500 circuit. "For Banco Sabadell, maintaining this sponsorship in the current circumstances derived from the pandemic represents an act of responsibility, it is an expression of a determined commitment to the city of Barcelona and a commitment to the event and to economic and business activity," the entity states.

For its president, Josep Oliu, the celebration of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell "is a first step towards social normalization," that is, "towards being able to once again have human relations in sport, culture, and towards everything that, in some way, makes us happy."

In this edition of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, there are no supplementary stands for the public ---the capacity of the courts is very reduced, one thousand people--- and another great classic is also missed: the crowded village. What does not change, however, is the maximum competitiveness on the courts and the most supportive aspect of the tournament, since, one more year, Banco Sabadell will celebrate a new edition of the Aces Solidarios. This initiative consists of the bank making a donation of 50 euros for each ace or service point scored by the players during all the matches played on the RCTB courts.

On average, in each Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, about 470 aces are counted, which translates into about 23,500 euros that are donated to different non-profit organizations. The maximum number of aces was registered in 2008, with 634, and the minimum in 2011, with 313. Since 2008, Sabadell has raised 280,000 euros thanks to this solidarity project, a figure that has been distributed among more than 40 social entities.

This year, the beneficiary entities of the Solidarity Aces are the Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital and the Probitas Foundation, closely linked to the fight against the pandemic and to guaranteeing access to health for people at social risk. "There is no other plan B than science," highlights the president of Banco Sabadell, Josep Oliu, in recognition of the work carried out by researchers from centers such as Germans Trias i Pujol, which has made it possible to have different vaccines in record time. According to Oliu, the Solidarity Aces "are part of Banco Sabadell's commitment to society." "The importance of this initiative ---he explains--- is not so much the economic contribution, as its capacity to serve as a launching pad to publicize the organizations with which we collaborate each year and which dedicate so much effort to the well-being of society."

Doctor Bonaventura Clotet, from the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital, has thanked Banco Sabadell for its help after many months of fighting the pandemic. "Never before had we gone so fast in generating knowledge and sharing it; the help from Solidarity Aces gives us visibility and is important, because with everyone's contributions we hope to end this pandemic soon, return to hugs and above all anticipate new pandemics," explained Clotet.

Marta Segú, general director of the Probitas Foundation, states that Banco Sabadell's contribution will "help us to disseminate our work and to have more synergies with other entities." Probitas is an organization aimed at improving access to health for vulnerable people. Thus, the donation will be used to address, for example, child poverty, offering children at social risk a healthy and nutritious meal a day, as well as socio-educational and emotional support.