Ontinyent bids farewell to Carrer de la Pilota with a tribute to the player Vicent Lluch before its comprehensive renovation, which will begin in September with an investment of 193,000 euros.
The town of Ontinyent experienced an afternoon of Valencian pilota this Wednesday with the Trofeu de Festes de Galotxa 2026, held on Carrer de la Pilota (Altet de Sant Joan). The event brought together numerous fans and served to pay tribute to the Ontinyent player Vicent Lluch, a key figure in keeping this practice alive in the streets of the city.
This was the last match before the start of the renovation works for the space, scheduled for next September. The project has an investment of 193,000 euros, of which 150,000 euros comes from a grant from the Valencia Provincial Council under the Pla Trinquets, managed by the first vice president Natàlia Enguix.
The day, included in the programming of the Setmana Gran de Festes, featured teams from Ontinyent, Montserrat, and Sella, who played three high-quality matches in one of the most traditional modalities of Valencian pilota. The activity was organized with the collaboration of the Valencia Provincial Council, Caixa Ontinyent, and the participating clubs.
The event was attended by the councillor for Territory, Óscar Borrell, a great fan of pilota, who highlighted that “it has been a very special afternoon, both for the sporting level of the matches and for the opportunity to publicly recognise the figure of Vicent Lluch, a fundamental person for keeping Valencian pilota present in the streets of Ontinyent.”
It has been a very special afternoon, both for the sporting level of the matches and for the opportunity to publicly recognise the figure of Vicent Lluch, a fundamental person for keeping Valencian pilota present in the streets of Ontinyent.
The works will eliminate unevenness, improve accessibility, and incorporate specific signage for the practice of different modalities of Valencian pilota. Thus, urban renewal will be compatible with the preservation of one of the most unique and representative spaces of the Valencian native sport.
The councillor for Sports, Ferran Gandia, positively assessed the development of the match and emphasised the importance of continuing to promote Valencian pilota “as a sport that is part of our identity and our cultural heritage, bringing it closer to the public and especially to new generations.”
As a sport that is part of our identity and our cultural heritage, bringing it closer to the public and especially to new generations.
Borrell also wanted to highlight the institutional support received: “With the renovation, we will preserve the essence of this space, but at the same time we will prepare it to continue hosting matches for many more years, with better conditions for both players and the public, thanks to the support of the Valencia Provincial Council and the work of the first vice president, Natàlia Enguix, who has always defended this project in Valencia, against those who even questioned whether this historic street existed.”
With the renovation, we will preserve the essence of this space, but at the same time we will prepare it to continue hosting matches for many more years, with better conditions for both players and the public, thanks to the support of the Valencia Provincial Council and the work of the first vice president, Natàlia Enguix, who has always defended this project in Valencia, against those who even questioned whether this historic street existed.
With the start of the works in September, Carrer de la Pilota in Ontinyent will temporarily stop hosting matches. Fans will have to wait until the renovation is completed to enjoy Valencian pilota in this emblematic space again.
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