The Los Planos Sports Complex in Teruel was the setting for the awards ceremony of the XL National Sports Gala, organised by the Spanish Sports Press Association (AEPD). A significant number of sports representatives from the Universidad Católica de Murcia, under the leadership of its president José Luis Mendoza, were present in the capital of Aragon. This event, postponed due to the pandemic, recognised the achievements of the 2019/20 season. 

A large group of athletes and key figures connected to UCAM were present at the gala and were recognised for their achievements and careers: swimmer Mireia Belmonte, taekwondist Adriana Cerezo, karatekas Damián Quintero and Sandra Sánchez, athlete Ruth Beitia, sailors Ángela Pumariega and Sofía Toro, synchronised swimmer Thais Henríquez, gymnast Lourdes Mohedano, skater Javier Fernández and canoeist David Cal. National teams in which UCAM athletes took part were also recognised, such as the Spanish handball team with Gedeón Guardiola, Ángel Fernández and Eduardo Gurbindo, and the Spanish water polo team with Maica García and Irene González. Vicente del Bosque, former national football coach and Doctor Honoris Causa by UCAM, was honoured for the tenth anniversary of winning the World Cup in South Africa.  

After the gala, Julián Redondo, president of the AEPD, praised the work of the Universidad Católica in supporting Spanish sport: "The UCAM is very satisfied with its athletes because of the large number of Olympians and Paralympians who have won medals in Tokyo and we are very proud of the UCAM, the athletes, the journalists and Teruel, which has hosted this event".

Meanwhile, Alejandro Blanco, president of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE), highlighted the importance of the fact that the president of UCAM remains steadfast in his commitment to supporting athletes: "José Luis Mendoza is one of the people responsible for the success of Spanish sport because of the number of athletes that UCAM promotes. The charitable work carried out by José Luis and his family and the education provided at the university make José Luis an an indispensable person in Spanish sport".

The President of the Universidad Católica, José Luis Mendoza, stated that this work will continue in view of Paris 2024: "We will continue to help athletes with this project that we are carrying out alongside the Spanish Olympic Committee. The Olympians have encountered many difficulties and it is very important that we help them together. We have to support Olympic sport more. Great success has been achieved in Tokyo and we will continue to work along these lines so that they can continue studying while they prepare for their next competitions".