As in football, most of the great Brazilian idols of combat sports came from underprivileged communities: Anderson Silva, José Aldo, Amanda Nunes… there are countless names that, through their fights, elevate Brazil around the world.
With a view to discovering new talents and, more than that, training citizens based on the discipline transmitted by the doctrine of martial arts, Loterias Caixa launched ‘Loterias Caixa Mais Lutas’, an investment program in social projects in the segment.
Creator of the program, Regina Pereira de Souza, president of the Latin Association for Sport, Cultural and Environmental Development (ALDEeA), highlighted the importance of making young people aware of the importance of sport as a driver of quality of life.
"The cores of Loterias Caixa Mais Lutas program will be set up in communities with low HDI to show children and young people with low levels of education, that is, vulnerable to crime, a possible path that will lead them to a dignified life," he stressed.
The first project to benefit, and which will serve as a model for the next ones, is the Rocinha Jiu-Jitsu Association, in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. There, more than 150 children and young people receive technical and disciplinary lessons in Jiu-Jitsu and Olympic Wrestling.
Later this year, the program’s centers will be implemented in the cities of Manaus and Tibau do Sul. It is estimated that the program will impact 100,000 people directly and indirectly, including students, family members and community neighbors.
It is worth remembering that Brazilian professors dominate the Jiu-Jitsu market on the planet. There are many black belts who have left poor communities to make a living taking the gentle art teachings around the world.
"It will be nice if new idols come out of these projects, but the objective is to form good citizens, new Jiu-Jitsu teachers, Olympic athletes and send future lawyers, engineers, doctors or any other honest profession," added Regina.
The investment made by Caixa includes teachers' salaries, tatami mats, tarpaulins, uniforms, kimonos and monitoring by nutritionists who will serve the centers via videoconference with tips on healthy eating, taking into account the financial condition of those assisted.
Source: GMB
