E.C. Originários, all-Indigenous side from Maricá, to debut in Rio’s Série C | OneFootball

In Maricá, near Rio, E.C. Originários are poised to become Brazil’s first all‑Indigenous club in official competition. They debut in Rio’s Série C, the state’s fifth tier, on 3 May against Barcelona.

According to Globo.com, the club was founded this year to open pathways and express pride, led by president and Guarani Mbya cacique Tupã Nunes, 51. He sees the project as a lifelong dream and a platform for respect.

Players from at least 14 ethnicities joined from across Brazil, recruited by coach Huberlan Silva. The league is under-23 with up to five overage, and more than 400 applied.

Many paid their own way, including Mura goalkeeper Sávio Conrado, who spent nearly four days travelling from Autazes by river and road.

Registering a new club would have cost about R$1.3m, so Originários will compete using Ceres’ registration.

Finances are tight, with one local vehicle‑protection sponsor, while talks with Maricá’s city hall and Loterj continue as Indigenous documentation is verified and public funds awaited.

A school bus takes the squad to a hired pitch twice a week, with sessions ending by 11am. Home games will be at Estádio Municipal João Saldanha in Ponta Negra.

Project architect Anderson Terra says football channels energy away from drugs and alcoholism, and he plans a women’s team.

A hoped‑for Maracanã curtain‑raiser on Indigenous Pride Day was declined by Flamengo, citing pitch preservation and no preliminaries since 2007. Originários instead beat amateur side 9 de Abril 7-0 in Maricá.

Nunes says he wants expressive, artful football and believes his players can showcase Indigenous Brazil.

Source: Globo.com