Angola says ‘Bem-Vindo’ to Youth Athletes

31 | 7 | 2014

Young athletes from the Portuguese-speaking community are currently gathered in Luanda, Angola for the IX edition of the CPLC (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) Games. This year’s multisport event brings together young athletes from seven nations including Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and East Timor.

Competitors, primarily from the under-16 age group, are taking part in a range of sports from handball, football and basketball to athletics, judo, swimming and table tennis over the course of 10 days in the Angolan capital. The purpose of the event is to spread the Olympic Spirit throughout the youth community of Portuguese language countries. The theme of the 2014 Games is ‘Together in Diversity’.

Prior to the Games getting underway, the Association of Olympic Athletes in Angola (AOAA), led by President and four-time Olympian Swimmer Nadia Cruz, teamed up with President of the Angolan Olympic Committee (COA), Gustavo da Conceição, and National Director of Sports, Antonio Gomes, to lead a training programme for national sports directors on Olympic Solidarity. The topics discussed included positive leadership, ethical values, solidarity and fair-play.

Speaking about the Games, Nadia Cruz, said:

“It’s fantastic to see the young athletes come together from across the Portuguese speaking community to celebrate sport.  These Games are all about taking part and it is very important that we instil the values of Olympism in our youth community from an early age. The young athletes can carry these values forward whether they become professional sports men and women or choose alternative careers.”