RIO DE JANEIRO - After arousing the interest of many fans during Rio 2007 Pan American Games, badminton and table tennis may become more popular in the competition's host city. Rio's city government is preparing projects to disseminate the practice of both disciplines in public schools and needy communities, also using the sport as an instrument of insertion for young people in educational institutions. Teachers are already attending courses to teach badminton to the young.
"It is easier to attract a child who is on the street to the sport than to a math class. We need to face this reality and convince the child, by means of the sport, that going to school is something good," says Pedro Martins, advisor of Rio de Janeiro's Sport and Leisure Office.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the City Government offers free badminton classes at Miecimo da Silva Sports Complex, in Campo Grande (West Zone), which played host for karate, squash, artistic skating events and soccer tournament games of RIO 2007.
Brazilian record holder in number of gold medals won in Pan American Games, Hugo Hoyama is enthusiastic about the adoption of table tennis, discipline that made him into a well-known athlete, in schools.
"There is no better way to promote the sport than in the school. The discipline is appealing and helps develop motor skills, team spirit and the respect for opponents," the athlete explains.
In the Pan American Games, Brazil won three medals in table tennis (a gold one and three bronze medals) and another one in badminton (bronze).
"It is easier to attract a child who is on the street to the sport than to a math class. We need to face this reality and convince the child, by means of the sport, that going to school is something good," says Pedro Martins, advisor of Rio de Janeiro's Sport and Leisure Office.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the City Government offers free badminton classes at Miecimo da Silva Sports Complex, in Campo Grande (West Zone), which played host for karate, squash, artistic skating events and soccer tournament games of RIO 2007.
Brazilian record holder in number of gold medals won in Pan American Games, Hugo Hoyama is enthusiastic about the adoption of table tennis, discipline that made him into a well-known athlete, in schools.
"There is no better way to promote the sport than in the school. The discipline is appealing and helps develop motor skills, team spirit and the respect for opponents," the athlete explains.
In the Pan American Games, Brazil won three medals in table tennis (a gold one and three bronze medals) and another one in badminton (bronze).
