“Football is more than just the World Cup, it’s more than just the game”, said Jurgen Klinsmann, coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team, after the announcement of the Sports for All initiative by the U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Liliana Ayalde.
Coach Klinsmann’s statement proved to be true as, during their visit to Brazil in January, the U.S. team engaged in a series of activities to support Mission’s umbrella theme for sports programs that promote social inclusion– Sports for All.
Activities included a clinic with participants of the Soccer Stars program, which is an initiative of the U.S. Consulate in São Paulo, Sesc São Paulo, and Associação Alumni, that offers English, soccer and leadership classes to public school girls between 13 and 15 years old. “It was the best day of my life”, said one of the girls, who also had the opportunity to watch part of the team’s training and tour the professional training facility, where the U.S. team will be based for the Cup.
Before leaving for the U.S., some members of the team also showed their artistic skills, as they helped in the painting of a mural at one of the Consulate walls with Brazilian graffiti artist Alexandre Keto, American kids and young Brazilians, from the Fábricas de Cultura social project. Ambassador Liliana Ayalde and Consul General Dennis Hankins also participated in the spray painting event, conceived to celebrate the friendship between Brazil and the U.S., as well as to highlight Mission’s efforts to use arts and sports as a tool to reach out to underserved youth and promote social inclusion.
For more pictures of the program, clik here.
