The news hit hard: Fonte do Bastardo, a volleyball team with a rich history, is pulling out of the National Championship next season.
The reason? Lack of private support and delayed regional payments.
What went wrong?
Vicente Araújo, president of the Portuguese Volleyball Federation (FPV), expressed his regret: “It’s sad to see a team like Fonte do Bastardo leave the competition.”
He wishes them a quick return to the nationals.
Fonte do Bastardo has a lot to be proud of: two national championships (2011 and 2016), a Portuguese Cup (2013), and a Super Cup (2022).
They’ve also played in international competitions several times.
Past successes
Their record speaks for itself.
The team has been a major player in the sport for years, with a strong presence in the top division.
Now, that’s all being put on hold.
The club’s management announced on Monday that they’ve tried everything to find a solution, but it’s just not working out.
No senior men’s team will compete in the national championship next season.
“It’s a tough decision, but we can’t keep going like this,” the club said in a statement.
“The lack of private support and delayed payments from official sponsors are the main reasons we’re stepping back.”
They’re not giving up on volleyball altogether, though.
The sport will still be alive and well in the club, just not at the top level.
Other teams and divisions will keep playing, and the club’s mission remains the same.
A setback, not the end
As Araújo put it, “Losing a team like Fonte do Bastardo is a loss for volleyball, but we can’t do much more than lament it.”
The club’s history and achievements won’t be forgotten, and fans are hoping for a comeback soon.