Alexandrina Cruz confirms reapplication to the presidency of the Ave River

Alexandrina Cruz confirmed that she intends to re-apply to the presidency of Rio Ave, because she considers that the work started three years ago is not yet completed and wants to follow the transformation of the infrastructure of the club of the I League football.

In an interview with the Lusa agency, the leader, linked to the Vila-Condense emblem since 2004, explained that the intention to continue in office, applying for a second term as president, in the elections to take place in November this year, is related to the projects that it still intends to carry out.

“ The feeling I get is from a job that isn't finished. Over the next two, three years, the Ave River will be completely transformed into what the facilities are and what its sports park will be. And for this reason, I really want to contribute to achieving this great goal”, he said.

Alexandrina Cruz was available to face any competing lists, considering that the participation of other members would be positive for the democratic life of the club.

“ It's part of normal life, and if that happens, I'm going to face it in a very healthy way to the Ave River. It is a sign that Rio Ave is alive and that there are people interested in participating in this project ", sustained.

The president stressed, however, that it will be up to the members to decide on the continuity of the current direction, after evaluating “all the work done in this last term”.

In the balance to his management, Alexandrina Cruz admitted that the experience of leading the club was more demanding than anticipated, despite the two decades of connection to Rio Ave and the accumulated experience in Portuguese football.

“It wasn’t three normal years. It was three very different years with constant challenges, not only at the sports level. When we fell the cover of the bench, it was one of those days of great agitation, but also motivation to solve the problem ", vented.

The leader also recognized the personal wear and tear associated with the performance of the duties, especially for the time taken to the family.

“There are very difficult, truly difficult days. The one who, of course, loses the most with this is the family. But I find it very difficult to define my life without Rio Ave, because it is almost 23 years old ", explained, stressing that the results achieved depend on collective work.

First woman elected president of Rio Ave in 2023, Alexandrina Cruz admitted that the issue of gender marked the way she was received in office, although she considers that performance should prevail over this circumstance.

“In the limit, I opened doors for other women,” Lusa observed, arguing that “competence has no gender”.

The leader also acknowledged having faced unpleasant situations, to which she sought not to give importance.

“Of course I had delicate moments, I heard certain comments, which I pretended not to listen and followed my path, but most of the time I never felt disrespected”, she shared.

Alexandrina Cruz, however, wishes that the legacy of her presidency be associated with the transformation of the club.

“If the first news or most of the news was very much because it was the first woman president, I would now like the news to be what we are building and what in the future we will have the opportunity to see,” he concluded.

About the professional connection with the investor in SAD, the Greek businessman Evangelos Marinakis, the leader of the village-condense emblem speaks in a very fruitful relationship.

“He is an ambitious man who makes things happen with a very clear idea of what he wants and a 360-degree vision of the group. I see him truly excited about Rio Ave, not only with the sporty aspect but with the social brand he is leaving in the city, and these values share them with him”, he concluded.