CBF opens Espírito Santo centre with football festival, Geovani tributes | OneFootball

Geovani Silva Football Development Center was inaugurated by the CBFCredits: Silvia Mantovani/CBF

CBF inaugurated the Football Development Center of the State of Espírito Santo on Thursday morning (30), 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 representatives from the CBF and FIFA, the state’s new sports facility was officially opened by president Samir Xaud and the head of the Espírito Santo Federation, Gustavo Vieira.

“I am very happy. This is the sixth facility we have delivered. It shows the CBF’s commitment to the social side, to the grassroots of Brazilian football, through the legacy and support that FIFA gave us with 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 delivery of this tool that is so important for society and for Brazilian football,” celebrated Samir Xaud.

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

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

The Espírito Santo 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 pitch and an example to follow off it. His family members were present and were moved by the tribute.

FIFA Present

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

“FIFA’s main objective 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, ignite their passion, and dream of the greatness of the beautiful game,” said Infantino, who expressed his gratitude to Samir Xaud and congratulated the CBF on the achievement.

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

“Your dedication 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 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 structure is the true reason these centers were built.

“For us, it is an honor to see what happens here (at the 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, with seeing these boys and girls playing and using them. This is the most important thing and what gives us the greatest happiness,” he celebrated.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino celebrated the inauguration of yet another Development Center, this time in Serra, Espírito SantoCredits: 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 of last year. The Development Centers have the structure needed to host events for children beginning in sports, refereeing training, training courses for managers, doctors, and coaches, as well as amateur, youth, and professional football competitions, both men’s and women’s.

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

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