Sport in São Tomé and Principe
Football (soccer) has always been the most popular sport in Sao Tome and Principe. The first local association was founded in 1931, and a national federation was created in 1977, two years after independence.
In the late 1990s, the country had some two dozen clubs competing in two divisions. The clubs of the first division compete annually for the national championship, and there is also a national cup competition. Local competitions comprising all existing sports are held annually on March 12, the National Sports Festival Day.
The standard of football in Sao Tome and Príncipe, an independent nation since 1975, is not yet particularly high. Two players enjoy hero status in the islands: Armandinho was the top scorer in the national championship for three seasons running - in 1981 (21 goals), 1982 (32) and 1983 (37) - and Taty scored 36 goals in 1978. These two players helped their club Vitoria Do Riboque dominate football in Sao Tome and Principe for six years. During that period, they won four league titles, three cups and three super cups. Today, Jason Semedo is the only player who plays his football abroad (with Vitoria de Guimaraes in Portugal).
Sao Tome and Principe first participated in the Olympic Games in 1996, when the Summer Games were held in Atlanta and is yet to take home a single Olympic medal.
Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to São Tomé and Principe. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know.
Popular sports of Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe Sporting Success
Great athletes from Sao Tome and Principe
- Armandinho (football)
- Taty (football)
Sao Tome and Principe Sports trivia
Sao Tome and Principe at major events
Past sporting events hosted in Sao Tome and Principe
Upcoming sporting events in Sao Tome and Principe
Annual sporting events held in Sao Tome and Principe
Sporting Facilities in Sao Tome and Principe
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