The Club de colombófilo Alas del Sur will represent Jerez at the national pigeon championship, competing with 1,200 racing pigeons. The announcement was made by club president Juan Miguel Moreno, alongside club members Tomás Sampalo, Pedro Nolasco, and Antonio Gil.
Pigeon racing is a well-known tradition in Jerez, particularly during the annual San Antón festival, where the birds are released as part of the celebrations. Tomás Sampalo, the delegate for Sports and Health, emphasised the importance of this sport in the city, stating, "We contacted this club a few months ago and discovered the reality of pigeon racing. We need to provide space and support for lesser-known sports in our city, where dedicated citizens are involved. We even have a national champion here in Jerez."
Sampalo further noted that the Sports Delegation is committed to promoting various sports beyond the more popular football, highlighting the rich tradition and history of the sport represented by the Club Alas del Sur.
Juan Miguel Moreno, who has led the club for nearly a decade, expressed pride in their achievements, stating, "We are among the top ten clubs in Spain, representing the province and Jerez. We are leaders in the sport, having been the first club to adopt cutting-edge electronic racing systems." He described the upcoming young pigeons championship as particularly exciting, as it features birds bred in 2026.
Pedro Nolasco, a national champion, acknowledged the challenges of defending his title, saying, "It’s very difficult to repeat the championship. I have been training every day, classifying the pigeons, and ensuring they receive proper nutrition and vitamins." He expressed hope for a specific pigeon, Pinto, a champion of Andalusia.
Antonio Gil discussed the passion for pigeon racing in Jerez, noting, "Beyond the competitive aspect, Jerez has a rich history with messenger pigeons, and there are over 100 pigeon racers in the province of Cádiz. We are many in Jerez, and we are promoting this sport." He admitted that pigeon racing is somewhat obscure, primarily visible during the San Antón festival.
The Jerez pigeons will be released on various dates: 3 November in Montellano (Sevilla), 9 November in Puebla de Cazalla (Sevilla), 6 November in El Ronquillo (Sevilla), 23 November in Fuente de Cantos (Badajoz), and 30 November in Villafranca de Los Barros (Badajoz), all returning to their loft in Jerez. The race's winner will be determined by the pigeon that takes the least time to cover the distance, a process that remains somewhat mysterious.
