RFEF president, Rafael Louzán, pays tribute to his predecessor Pedro Rocha during the Centenary Gala of the Royal Extremadura Football Federation.
The head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Rafael Louzán, supported Extremadura football on his first day as president, on a very special day which was held in the town of Mérida.
The Royal Extremadura Football Federation celebrated its Centenary Gala with a meeting of personalities and representatives of sporting, political and social institutions which took place in the Palacio de Congresos in the city.
The Centenary Gala was the stage to pay tribute to the former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Pedro Rocha, who received the RFEXF Order of Sporting Merit and who received the affection of all the supporters of Extremaduran and Spanish football.
Rafael Louzán dedicated words of thanks to the lifetime work of the Extremadura Football Federation and, in particular, stressed the importance of being in Mérida, in recognition of the figure of Pedro Rocha.
The honouree, for his part, wanted to express his gratitude for the affection he received from the whole of Spanish football. "I am very happy to be here, I have felt some very special affection," said Rocha.
The president of the RFEXF, Sergio Merchán, gave an overview of the 100 years of the history of the Extremadura Football Federation, which culminated with the presentation of the Extremadura Federation's Order of Sporting Merit to Pedro Rocha.
The Centenary Gala, organised by the Real Federación Extremeña de Fútbol, brought together in Mérida the best sportsmen and women, clubs, referees and football leaders. In addition, the public institutions had in the presence of María Guardiola, president of the Junta de Extremadura, their highest representative.
On the other hand, the Mayor of Mérida, Antonio Rodríguez Osuna, as well as representatives of the Provincial Councils of Badajoz and Cáceres, and leaders from different levels of Spanish football were also present.
During the Gala, awards were presented to top international referees, elite players such as Adelardo Rodríguez, Manolo Sánchez Delgado, Antonio Álvarez 'Ito', César Sánchez or Carmen Menayo; men's and women's football and futsal clubs, Extremadura media and the former presidents of the Real Federación Extremeña de Fútbol (Royal Extremadura Football Federation).