At football festival, CBF opens ES centre, honours Geovani Silva | OneFootball

On the morning of this Thursday (30), the CBF inaugurated the Football Development Center of the State of Espírito Santo, located in the municipality of Serra. With a football festival, tributes to Espírito Santo idol Geovani Silva, and the presence of local authorities, as well as CBF and FIFA representatives, the state’s new sports facility was officially opened by president Samir Xaud and Espírito Santo Federation president Gustavo Vieira.

“I’m very happy. This is the sixth facility we have delivered. It shows CBF’s commitment to the social side and to the grassroots of Brazilian football, through the legacy and support FIFA gave us from the 2014 World Cup. We still have eight more centers to deliver across Brazil. Next week, in Piauí, then Mato Grosso do Sul, continuing the rollout of this tool that is so important for society and for Brazilian football,” celebrated Samir Xaud.

“The Development Center will be of fundamental importance. Here we will hold preparation and training courses for various sectors. We will have training courses for young coaches in partnership with CBF itself and CBF Academy. This will also be the training center for refereeing in Espírito Santo. The Development Center will be put to very good use by us,” added Vieira.

The Geovani Silva Football Development Center, in Serra, Espírito Santo, was inaugurated by the CBFCredits: Silvia Mantovani/CBF

Espírito Santo’s Development Center was named the Geovani Silva Football Development Center, in tribute to one of the great players in the history of football in Espírito Santo. Having passed away in mid-May, the idol was a star on the field and an example to follow off it. His family members were present and moved by the tribute.

FIFA Present

FIFA was present at the ceremony through Rafael Arias, head of FIFA’s regional office for South America. He represented president Gianni Infantino at the event, and Infantino sent a video celebrating the inauguration of yet another Development Center.

“FIFA’s main goal is to foster the growth of football around the world. Today’s inauguration is an important milestone. With this center, girls and boys in this region will have access to high-quality infrastructure, where they can improve their skills, spark their passion, and dream big in the beautiful game,” said Infantino, who expressed his gratitude to Samir Xaud and congratulated the CBF on the achievement.

CBF president Samir Xaud alongside the children who took part in the inauguration ceremony of the Geovani Silva Football Development CenterCredits: Silvia Mantovani/CBF

“Your dedication has turned a vision into reality, taking another step in the development of football throughout your beautiful nation. We celebrate this achievement, and I wish everyone all the very best. May these facilities become centers of talent and joy. I eagerly look forward to witnessing the impact this will have on countless lives over the years,” he said.

Arias, in turn, highlighted that seeing boys and girls making use of the facility is the true reason these centers are built.

“For us, it is an honor to see what happens here (in the Development Centers), which is very important for the development of football in the region and for the impact that we, in collaboration with the CBF, have as the central point of this partnership. We are happy with the quality of the facilities, to see these boys and girls playing and using them. This is the most important thing and what gives us the greatest joy,” he said.

Gustavo Vieira highlighted the many opportunities for the Espírito Santo State Football Federation to use the Geovani Silva Football Development CenterCredits: Silvia Mantovani/CBF

Development centers: A sea of possibilities

In addition to Espírito Santo, Rondônia, Tocantins, Amapá, Santa Catarina, and Sergipe have had their centers inaugurated by the CBF since July last year. The Development Centers are equipped to host events for children beginning in sports, referee training, training programs for managers, doctors, and coaches, as well as amateur, youth, and professional football competitions, for both men and women.

Each Development Center includes a synthetic turf field built to FIFA Quality standard dimensions (105x68m), team and referee locker rooms, stands, medical and administrative areas, parking, and storage. The Development Centers were built with resources from the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 Legacy Fund.

The Geovani Silva Football Development Center, in Serra, Espírito Santo, was inaugurated by the CBFCredits: Henrique Montovanelli/FES

Having benefited from this facility since August last year, CBF vice president and president of the Santa Catarina Football Federation, Rubens Angelotti, explained how Santa Catarina and the city of Balneário Camboriú, where the Development Center is located, have been making use of the site’s structure.

"It is a very important facility for the state and for the development of football. We have used it a lot with football schools and referee training. There, the Gol do Brasil project is based inside the Development Center. The Development Centers are very important for the region, for the children, who gain social integration, and for their development as human beings. I am sure this development center will be very well used by the municipality of Serra and by the federation," he concluded.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino celebrated the inauguration of yet another Development Center, this time in Serra, Espírito SantoCredits: Silvia Mantovani/CBF

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.