Prime Minister honors mythical Professor Joaquim Pereira at the Portugal Rugby Youth Festival

Professor Joaquim Pereira, one of the most legendary Portuguese rugby players, known to the fans of the sport as Quim Pereira, will be honoured with the Medal of Honor to Sporting Merit during this year's edition of the Portugal Rugby Youth Festival.

The tribute will be made in a ceremony to be held on Saturday afternoon at the University Stadium in Lisbon, which will be attended by the Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa.

Born in 1937, Quim Pereira began playing at the age of 18 at Académica de Coimbra.

At the age of 22, already a university student of Physical Education in Lisbon, he was first a member of the Belenenses team in 1963 and then CDUL in 1967. He played for 18 consecutive seasons at CDUL and was national champion several times, as a player and as coach. He finished his rugby career, again in Belenenses, at the age of 50.

The Professor, as he is also known, is one of the Portuguese internationals with a longer career, having worn the “Lobos” (Wolves) jersey until the age of 47. He was a youth coach for several years and a physical trainer, at various times, of the Portuguese national teams. He also performed with particular brilliance in different leadership positions at the Portuguese Rugby Federation.

Previously, he was awarded the Fair Play Distinction by the Portuguese Olympic Committee and the Distinction of Sports Merit, Career Award and the Distinguished Service Award by the Portuguese Rugby Federation.

Photo courtesy of Luís Cabelo