Alvalade president sets off for Johannesburg to unveil new football schools

The transfer market had barely slammed shut when Bruno de Carvalho took off for South Africa, where the Sporting president will officially open two Sporting Academy Schools and meet with the region's Sporting Supporters' Clubs.

Bruno de Carvalho began the journey to Johannesburg on Thursday, where Sporting will is now expanding horizons after opening a facility in Canada and beginning the construction of a further 10 in China.

Bruno de Carvalho in Sporting TV exclusive ahead of I Liga kick-off

Transfers, expectations, objectives, the press. All topics touched on by president Bruno de Carvalho in an exclusive interview with Sporting TV this week, marking the start of the new I Liga campaign.

The Alvalade helmsman opened with an analysis of how preparations for the start of the season are progressing: "The players are a bit unsteadied. We are managing an institution of course, but more than anything we are managing people. Finding a balance between finances, sports objectives and emotional expectations isn't easy, but we are here and that is our job. We are keeping calm in the transfer market and we know how important certain decisions will be."

With Teo and Barcos out on loan, some would suggest that Sporting will need to bring in an extra frontman. “The injury that Spalvis picked up messed things up a bit. We will have to work around it, probably for the entire season. We don't need to sell anyone, but we are open to good business opportunities as long as they don't damage our objectives.

Sporting has been building up powerful squads across a whole range of sports in the battle for titles on the European stage. In the case of football, Bruno de Carvalho was clear: "We want to do better than last season, which means winning the league. That is our objective. We want to win the Portuguese Cup as well and to have a good run in the Champions League. If we get through the group stage, then anything is possible."

A total of 30 Alvalade athetes heading to Rio 2016

Alvalade hosted a fitting tribute to the 30 Sporting athletes who will represent the country in Rio 2016, making for the club's biggest ever group of athletes at a single Olympic Games.

President Bruno de Carvalho was at the ceremony, affirming Sporting's determination to excel in all sports: "Sporting is also recognised abroad as being one of the biggest sports clubs. In the 10 Olympic Games held since 1976, our athletes have won nine medals. Since Stromp became the first Sporting athlete to represent the country in the Olympics back in 11912, we have had a total of 124 olympians in 16 different diciplines."

Jesus and Carvalho hosted by Swiss-based fans

President Bruno de Carvalho and Jorge Jesus paid a special visit to the Sion Sporting Supporters' Club this Sunday, where they were received in a euphoric atmosphere by dozens of fans eager to meet their leaders. The two Alvalade helmsmen also took the opportunity to give the Supporters' Club a shirt signed by the entire squad.

“It is nice to see this kind of passion for the club and it makes us do even better. This is what we live for. Sporting is a huge family and we want to win in every sport", said the sporting president at the event, before enjoying a hosted dinner at the club.

Bruno de Carvalho on the 10 Sporting Academy graduates in Portugal's Euro winning side

Writing in an opinion article Jornal de Notícias this week, President Bruno de Carvalho reflected on Sporting's contribution to Portugal's Euro 2016 squad.

“In Paris the national team wrote the most brilliant page in its history and we should all look at what they did as an example", opened the Alvalade chief, adding the inevitable word on Sporting's contribution to the squad: "It was Cristiano Ronaldo's drive, the safety given by Rui Patrício, the speed of Cédric, the calm of José Fonte, the stability of William, the dedication of Adrien, the balance of João Moutinho, the intelligence of João Mário, the virtue of Nani and the irreverence of Quaresma, together with the solidity of Pepe, the depth of Raphael Guerreiro, the suddenness of Renato and the inspiration of Éder that led to us hearing our national anthem in the end."

Bruno de Carvalho writes article for Semanário Ecclesia

One of the most recurrent themes discussed by Sporting in recent years has been ethics in sport. On the same subject, Bruno de Carvalho was invited to write for the Semanário Ecclesia digital edition this week.

"Sporting CP makes a point of taking on its role in society, fighting for sportsmanship and transparency in sport", began the sporting president in his piece, going on to add: "The club has developed various proposals for the improvement of football, presented not only to national bodies but also to international ones such as UEFA, FIFA and ECA...We are really happy about the approval of the yse of the video-referee for a trail period announced by FIFA, as well as the use of goal line technology in the European Championships and Champions League next season."

Read the full article here.

Bruno de Carvalho in radio interview with TSF on Portugal's Euro 2016 campaign

Sporting's mention in the conversation about the origins of current Portuguese national side if unavoidable. Speaking with TSF about the nation's run to the Euro 2016 final, which has no fewer than 10 players in the squad which were produced by the club's youth system, Bruno de Carvalho highlighted the importance of Alvalade in every age group.

“I have believed we would do well from the start. We didn't get off to a brilliant start, but football can be like that. It is in moments like that where we see a person's true character and the talent of the team. I prepared everything to go to the final on the 11th of July and I will be there", opened the Sporting president, adding: "As a Portuguese, I am really happy for the entire squad. as the president of Sporting Clube de Portugal, although I look at the national team as a whole, I have to mention that the under-21 team reached the final with a team of 11 players that had 8 from Sporting. On the 11th of July 2016, we had 10 players in the senior squad, which means we have contributed a total of 18 players. There is no comparison to that."

Rui Patrício, Adrien Silva, William Carvalho and João Mário have been near permanent features in the team and Bruno de Carvalho couldn't be prouder: "When you have players of that quality, it is normal. We were prepared for this. Of course this opens us up to bids for players, but we want them with us. The lads deserve this for the work they have put in and I am sure it is something they have wanted for a long time. I don't mind who we play against to be honest. Both teams are really strong and Portugal will have to show collective quality."

Newly designed Musem showcases Sporting's greatest achievements

Two months after closing for a makeover, the Sporting Museum is set to reopen its doors. New areas have been built in the Museum, including an exhibition on the origins of the club, its first emblems and a special exhibition for the country's all time top scorer, Fernando Peyroteo.

The Sporting Journal was given exclusive access ahead of the official opening, guided by Carlos Lopes.

President Bruno de Carvalho was also on hand to talk us through some of the exhibitions: "All 22 league trophies are here and the next will be the 23rd, that all Sporting fans want. We want to win European trophies and if we win the UEFA Futsal Cup then we will be level with Barcelona in having won European titles in five different sports."

The Sporting Museum will officially open to the fans at 10h30 on Sunday.

Sporting president heads visit to club's second official museum

The Sporting Museum in Leiria hosted a committee from Alvalade this Saturday afternoon. Accompanying the club president for the visit was vice-president Vicente Moura, roller hockey director Gilberto Borges and players Poka, João Pinto and João Diogo, and the the sponsors of the Sporting Race (Corrida Sporting), Hermano Ferreira, Ercília Machado and Rui Silva.

Museum Director Bernardes Dinis did the honours of showing the group around, including a visit to the newly displayed CERS Cup.

The occasion also saw the inauguration of an exhibition on Sporting's win in the athletics European Champions Club Cup.

Alvalade president confident ahead of the coming season

Sporting will be more motivated than ever for the coming season's title race. That was the guarantee given by president Bruno de Cavalho in an interview with the newspaper Expresso this week, setting out his vision of Sporting as the favourites to claim silverware next season.

“We are a very serious contender for the title. We showed this year that people had underestimated us. We were very consistent. In six matches against the big clubs we won five", affirmed the Alvalade president, before settling any nerves about activity in the summer transfer market: "We don't need to sell out key players. We are complying with the financial fair-play rules and we are in positive territory right now, which can support an increase in the cost of the squad."

Asked about his relationship with the agent Jorge Mendes, the Sporting president was preemptive: "I have no interest in seeing a player sold for 300 million euros but only 3 million actually comes to Sporting. I hear people talking about millions and millions and millions, that 500 billion euros have passed through his hands. Well good for him. People think I am arrogant, but I am 100% humble about the whole thing and I hate this stupidity. When people are being stupid, then of course I am arrogant. I will put up with the worst person in the world for 100 years, 24 hours a day, if they are useful for Sporting."