Unicamp and the Brazilian Athletics Confederation (CBAt) took another step in developing joint actions to benefit Brazilian athletics. A term of commitment was signed on 4/4 by the rector Antonio José de Almeida Meirelles, by the president of the Board of Directors of CBAt, Wlamir Motta Campos, and by the director of the FacultyPhysical Education Department (FEF), Orival Andries Júnior. The event was attended by Olympic athlete Tiffani Marinho, world runner-up in the 400 m relay, and her coach and Unicamp teacher, Evandro Lazari, who has already been part of several Brazilian delegations, as well as FEF teachers and staff.
The institutions will seek resources to renovate the FEF athletics track at an estimated cost of 9 million and thus encourage the training and updating of coaches and the development of athletes. “The intention is to promote the modernization of the track to adapt it to international standards, improving research conditions at the faculty. We want science to produce practical results for high-performance sport”, declares Orival Andries.
According to the FEF director, the “Building Champions” project will boost the initiation of sports for children and adolescents, as well as the training of elite athletes. The expectation is that a triathlon school for children will be set up in August through extension activities. It is also planned for Olympic champion Joaquim Cruz to come next June to receive a tribute.
Another project covered by the partnership is the promotion of courses for coaches at various stages, aiming to train athletes and specialists. According to the Confederation, it would be the first time that a postgraduate course would dedicate itself specifically to athletics. “The initiatives are in line with the University’s main objectives, which are teaching, research and extension. The partnership would also meet the needs of athletes who are on the track in daily training”, assesses the FEF director.
Orival Andries recalls that the term of commitment complies with CBAt regulations, as the idea is to seek public resources and parliamentary amendments to achieve the objectives of the partnership, and for this to happen, the Confederation's approval is mandatory. It is also planned to approach other federative institutions focused on sport. “We are in talks with the Olympic Committee and the Paralympic Committee to further encourage professional training. The idea is to attract other institutions to develop joint programs based on this partnership”, he concluded.
Next Steps
During the commitment signing ceremony, the rector highlighted the importance of this type of joint action. “We want the university to be able to get closer to society, recognize its demands and collaborate by offering the knowledge produced within its walls”. His expectation is to see the FEF reach another level of national recognition, as a protagonist in the Brazilian sports scene. “This partnership is a good example of accepting society’s demands”, says Antonio Meirelles.
The dean made a point of highlighting the presence of Olympic athlete Tiffani Marinho. He believes that, for change in the country, two things are necessary: generating opportunities and having examples to follow. “People like Tiffani have made a name for themselves at the cost of great sacrifices. Your participation in this initiative means capitalizing on several young people to multiply this effort.”
Wlamir Campos, president of the CBAt Board of Directors, described the partnership with Unicamp as a “project of excellence”. “We want to use the university’s knowledge to promote inclusion and social transformation through high-performance athletics.” According to Campos, one of the missions of the public university is dialogue with society, which is also one of CBAt's missions. “We hope that the knowledge produced at Unicamp can be democratized and reach the tracks.”
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CBAt and Unicamp celebrate partnership for postgraduate courses in athletics
Watch the commitment signing ceremony:
