The Vélez-Málaga City Council has announced the five Gold Shields of 2026, recognising the Veleño Cycling Club, artist Elsa Ríos, footballer Rafita, businessman Diego Díaz, and the Firefighters. They will be awarded on September 14 at the Teatro del Carmen.
The Vélez-Málaga City Council announced on Monday the names of the five recipients of the Gold Shield of the City for 2026. The mayor, Jesús Lupiáñez, appeared alongside spokespersons from all municipal groups to announce these distinctions that recognise achievements in sport, culture, business, and public service.
The proposal was presented today to the Local Government Board and will be submitted to the Plenary on August 31 for final approval. The awards ceremony will take place at an institutional gala on September 14 at the Teatro del Carmen.
The Veleño Cycling Club, proposed by the Municipal Group of the Popular Party, receives recognition for over 35 years of service. Founded in 1991, it has promoted cycling and organised events such as the Clásica del Pavo, the Desafío del Buda, the Triathlon of Torre del Mar, the School Cross, and the traditional Day of the Pedal. Its recent Base Cycling School reinforces its commitment to new generations.
The artist Elsa Ríos, whose real name is Elisabet Martín Gallego, has been proposed by the Independent Group Pro Municipality of Torre del Mar. Born in Torre del Mar, she developed a musical career that took her to festivals, television, and record productions, with particular prominence in Mexico, where she has performed on stages such as the National Auditorium of Mexico City within the realm of regional Mexican music.
Rafael Garrido Hierro, known as ‘Rafita’, has been proposed by the Municipal Group Andalucía Por Sí-Andalucistas. Trained at the Francisco Castejón School, he debuted with the first team of Málaga CF in La Liga, becoming one of the young athletes who have brought the name of Vélez-Málaga to the highest level of national football.
Diego Díaz Marín, proposed by the Municipal Socialist Group, is a photographer, creative director, and founder of ROD ALMAYATE. For over fifteen years, he worked in Italy in fashion photography and creative direction for international brands. After returning to his homeland, he develops a contemporary jewellery brand with international impact from Vélez-Málaga.
The Vélez-Málaga Firefighters, proposed by the Municipal Group VOX, will be honoured for decades of public service in protecting the residents of the municipality and the entire Axarquía. Their professionals respond to fires, accidents, rescues, floods, storms, and collapses, in addition to carrying out significant preventive work.
The mayor, Jesús Lupiáñez, highlighted that the Gold Shields are “one of the most beautiful ways a city can say thank you to those who have done something extraordinary for it.” He also noted that the five recognitions “represent five different ways of loving and building the city: from music and creation to sport and public service.”
“Today we give names and faces to five stories of which all the people of Vélez can be proud,” added Lupiáñez, who thanked the municipal groups for “the work done and the ability to find common ground to recognise what unites us: the talent, effort, and commitment of our people.”
The selection of the awardees, who come from proposals by various political groups, underscores the consensus reached. The residents of Vélez-Málaga will be able to attend the awards gala on September 14 at the Teatro del Carmen, where the city will pay tribute to its five new Gold Shields.
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