The Mijas Town Hall has created a new area for pétanque in La Cala de Mijas, specifically on the plain of the fairground. In total, five new courts have been created, in addition to those already existing in La Butibamba park, Torreón beach and Los Olivos park. 

This new playing area responds to the demands made by the enthusiasts of this sport and the La Cala Petanque Club itself, which was created at the beginning of 2023. As the mayor of Mijas, Josele González (PSOE), explained, "these courts on the fairground plain have been requested for 15 years, so this year we decided to take on the project, we saw the improvements we could make in the surroundings and, finally, we managed to build them, also installing a toilet module, another one for the storage of equipment and different benches and tables, all so that users are comfortable and only have to worry about playing and having fun". 

The president of the La Cala de Mijas Petanque Club, Miguel Benítez, was very happy "to be able to have these five new courts, which are also close to La Cala and the golf course, have a parking area... we could not ask for more". He also pledged to ensure the maintenance and care of all this space, and to "put it to good use".   

They are courts, said the secretary of the group, Pablo González, "that meet all the conditions for the practice of this game, because they are approximately 15 x 4 metres in size and have two or three layers of sand and gravel so that the pétanque balls settle well". 

The space was officially inaugurated this Friday with the unveiling of a monolith and also with a tribute to Gregorio Cano, a resident of La Cala, a lover of this entertaining sport and one of the promoters of this game in La Cala. "I am 92 years old and I have been playing petanque since I was 17, I have even been champion of Catalonia, and it is a sport that many people like because you do a lot of exercise and it is very beneficial", said Cano after the event. The Mijas councillor also took the opportunity to point out that "for us it is a source of pride to see Gregorio showing enthusiasm for this project that has already become a reality and that he is able to enjoy it with his friends and neighbours. This encourages us to continue working along the same lines as we have been doing, even though we will be in the opposition in a few days' time". 

Many pétanque enthusiasts attended the inauguration of the five new courts on Friday, including a large representation of the La Cala de Mijas Petanca Club, which will soon have over a hundred members. "At the beginning I thought petanque was silly but I have grown very fond of the game, because we have fun, we meet a lot of people and enjoy a very pleasant union between foreigners and Spaniards", said Ana María Gómez, a resident of La Cala. As for the rapid growth of the group, the president Miguel Benítez said that "we have only been playing for nine months, approximately, and obviously we are not yet competing, but we will have time to do so". 

The day ended with a small aperitif for all those present and, of course, with the occasional game of pétanque, which was also joined by the mayor of Mijas, without competing and amid laughter.

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