(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries recently held the 33rd edition of the Nordestão Salesiano, a student athletic tournament facilitated by the Salesian Network of Brazil‘s Northeast. The tournament brought together more than 1,200 youth during the last week of June. The event was held at the Henrique Castriciano of Nata educational complex’s gym. This year’s tournament theme, “In sport, we are all brothers”, was unveiled during the opening ceremony.

The five-day event was attended by students from the Salesian institutes in the Rio Grande do Norte as well as by Salesian students from institutes in the northern region of Brazil including Bahia, Ceará, Pernambuco, Sergipe and Amazonas. A total of 16 delegations participated in the event which included sports and spiritual and socio-cultural activities.

Divided by age and gender, the students competed in many activities including basketball, soccer, handball, swimming, volleyball, beach volleyball, rhythmic gymnastics, digital soccer, ping pong, Judo, chess and a special “marathon of knowledge”.

According to the Director of the Salesian Network in Rio Grande do Norte, Father Robson Barros, the games were a moment of important integration and friendship.

“The main objective of the Salesian Nordestão is to provide a moment of fraternization through Salesian pedagogy which conceives sport as part of a socio-educational process. This experience primarily involves student athletes, but also their parents and teachers,” said Fr. Barros.

At the close of the event, a special awards ceremony was held at the Salesian Institute São Jose cultural arena. The evening featured awards for the winning athletes and participating institutions. The tournament and closing events received support from a number of institutions including Internacional School, RoboEduc, Uninassau, Livraria Leitura, Abrace – Project School without Bullying, Árvore de Livros, Cantina San José, Cantina Don Bosco, Easy Communication, Mais Vídeo and Arituba.

Salesian sports programs teach youth both on and off the field. Learning and playing team sports encourages leadership skills as well as teaches youth to work as part of a team. Students also learn important social skills and have opportunities for growth and maturity.

The World Bank estimates about 28.6 million Brazilians moved out of poverty between 2004 and 2014. But from the start of 2016 to the end of 2017, the World Bank estimates that 2.5 million to 3.6 million have fallen back below the poverty line earning less than 140 Brazilian reais per month. Economists blame high unemployment, near 13 percent, and cuts to key social welfare programs for challenges in the country.

Issues of income inequality and social exclusion remain the root causes for those in poverty. Inequalities also exist in access to education and educational efficiency. These inequalities are greatest for children and youth who are poor, live in rural areas or who have an incomplete compulsory education. Salesians working with poor youth and their families in Brazil develop programs and provide youth with opportunities for furthering their education and skills.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Brazil – “In sport, we are all brothers”: 33rd edition of Salesian Nordestão

World Bank – Brazil