Collection: (A.B.A.) Associação Basquetebol Algarve
Abílio José de Gouveia and José Tomaz da Graça
Founded the Algarve Basketball Association on February 19, 1931, by public deed at the Olhão Notary's Office.
Both born in 1904, Abílio Gouveia in Olhão and José Tomaz da Graça in Fuseta. They met in elementary school at the Professor Manuel Martins Lopes School and became lifelong friends.
Abílio Gouveia, a salesclerk, journalist, and historian from Olhão. A reserved man, he was a passionate teacher of Olhão's history and basketball.
José Tomaz da Graça, a businessman, philatelist, and numismatist, was also a sports director, amateur theater actor, and writer of short articles for regional magazines and newspapers.
These two personalities constitute the Algarve Basketball Association. They were always associated with the Olhanense Gymnasium Club.
The history of the introduction of Basketball in the Algarve is unknown.
