António Tavares: “This is genuine public policy driven by civil society” | OneFootball

An agreement between FC Porto, Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Porto, and the Northern Rehabilitation Center was formalized with the purpose of “bringing those who are often forgotten in daily life, in sports practice, to the center of attention” and, in the words of António Tavares, will “allow both the youngest and even the elderly to participate in adapted sports activities.”

“This is the only time I don’t mind having a conflict of interest, because it is for the good of society, for those who are not remembered every day. This is a true public policy being carried out by civil society,” said the president of the General Assembly of FC Porto and Ombudsman of Misericórdia do Porto on the sidelines of the event where the partnership was formalized.

Sports accessible to all“Above all, this protocol seeks to bring those who are often forgotten in daily life, in sports practice, to the center of attention. Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Porto has a long tradition of working on inclusion, of preparing for inclusion. And so, it was here the pilot that built the bridge between FC Porto and the Local Health Unit of Gaia and Espinho, bringing together equipment that was currently unused and, above all, the willingness that was gathered to allow both the youngest and even the elderly to participate in adapted sports activities.”

Equipment delivered to FC Porto“We are talking about wheelchairs adapted for sports, for modalities such as basketball or handball, but also others, from adapted cycling to archery. There is great multidisciplinarity in this area that will help those at the Northern Rehabilitation Center and at Prelada Hospital, two places where every day we meet people who, the day before, were perfectly fine in their physical abilities and, the next day, because of an accident or other problems, are more limited. These are the people we want to bring back and tell them that life goes on.”

Collaboration between institutions“It means joining our synergies. We could never have an active participation in adapted sports, due to circumstances, it is not our duty. On the other hand, FC Porto also did not have the capacity, because its concern is not the physical rehabilitation of people, and Gaia Hospital itself, which also brings its contribution with many specialists, doctors, rehabilitation nurses, people prepared for this who will be able to help. At the same time, FC Porto brings the ability for people to engage in healthy competition, which, in the times we live in, is very important.”

Civil society promoting public policies“We have some people working with us who are visually impaired and who are part of FC Porto’s adapted sports teams. We understand this situation and consider this the best bridge that could be built between institutions that are already centuries old and have a great impact on the city. You will understand that this is the only time I do not mind having a conflict of interest, as Ombudsman of Santa Casa and President of the General Assembly of FC Porto, because it is for the good of society, for those who are not remembered every day. This is a true public policy being carried out by civil society.”

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