After being interrupted due to the new coronavirus pandemic, the Futevôlei Raiz Tournament, held by the Banco do Brasil Athletic Association (AABB) in Brasília, returned to the city’s sports calendar this weekend. In its 3rd edition, the athletes showed that they have not lost their energy and held a competition that celebrated this new moment.
Enthusiasts of social and sports initiatives, Lotus Incorporadora, Vestido de Chita, Nutriform, Vaiê Sports, Quatro Comunicação e Assessoria Estratégica, Bony Açaí and other partners supported the event that took place on Saturday (30) at the AABB Brasília Arena. The 3rd edition of Futevôlei Raiz had the participation of 16 female and 28 male athletes.
Businessman Luiz Felipe Hernandez, one of the owners of Lotus, highlighted that the developer also believes in sports as a way to change people’s lives. “Sport brings together important values such as teamwork, perseverance and discipline,” he said.
“We at Lotus are certain that supporting the tournament was a way of encouraging sport for everyone and collaborating with the event, especially after months that have been so difficult and challenging for everyone,” added Ruy Hernandez, also the owner of Lotus.
Millena Lopes, owner of Vestido de Chita, a women’s fashion boutique, highlighted that initiatives like this “encourage sports in the federal capital and give athletes new energy.”
The director of Quatro Comunicação e Assessoria Estratégica, Emilly Marques, emphasized that supporting sports has always been part of the company’s policy. “Quatro’s agenda, in addition to strategic communication, is based on social actions and support for events that make a difference in people’s lives and in society,” she stressed.
According to the AABB Footvolley Director, Camila Costa, the objective of the tournament was to promote the sport, socialize among athletes and give more visibility to footvolley, which is constantly growing in the Federal District and in the country.
“We are concerned about people as a whole. The pandemic has caused many harms to our bodies and minds, and we believe that, through footvolley, we can achieve benefits that directly impact our psychological and physical health, bringing a better quality of life. And the tournament represented all of this, this whole lifestyle, healthier and happier”, explained Camila, who is also an athlete.
One of the participants in the event and former AABB Footvolley Director, Marjorie Stemler da Veiga, 46, recalled that there has already been a significant evolution in the sport, especially among women. She has been playing footvolley for 21 years and says that, in Brasília specifically, there were very few girls who played and there were no women’s competitions, only mixed (men + women).
“The category had its first Brazilian championship in 2006, in Goiânia, endorsed by the Brazilian Footvolley Confederation and, even then, with great difficulty and without any prizes”, she said.
AABB currently has the only women’s-only footvolley court, and held the 1st Raiz Tournament in 2019, with the participation of 52 players, an unprecedented feat.
Marjore emphasizes that the association continues to open doors and support events that strengthen the category and encourage women to play.
Photo: @aabbbrasilia
