As a way of celebrating 20 years of existence, Matosinhos Sport organised an international sports congress, with the aim of creating a space for sharing knowledge, intervention methodologies and experiences
Photo: Pedro Correia / Global Imagens
The event will take place between this Thursday and Sunday, April 20-23, at the Salão Nobre da Câmara Municipal de Matosinhos
The congress will bring together prominent figures such as the Mayor of Matosinhos, Luísa Salgueiro, the Deputy Minister and Parliamentary Affairs, Ana Catarina Mendes, or even the Secretary of State for Sports, João Paulo Correia. The administrator of Matosinhos Sport, Vasco Pinho, explained the importance of this celebration, which will also serve as a way of sharing knowledge.
"Besides celebrating the 20 years of Matosinhos Sport, this congress serves to talk about public sports policies and management of sports equipment, allowing an exchange of knowledge between all those involved", clarifies Vasco Pinho, recalling the importance of the other elements responsible for the organisation of the event, such as the former football coach, Henrique Calisto, and the mayor of Matosinhos, Luísa Salgueiro.
One of the main missions of Matosinhos Sport is the "democratization in the access to sports" for all citizens of Matosinhos, an objective that Vasco Pinho believes has been accomplished over the years. The administrator estimates that about 20 000 residents use the facilities, free of charge, through the various associations of the municipality. "We started with a team of ten people and now we employ around 160. Besides, we have been implementing measures to encourage the practice of sports in the municipality, whether federated or recreational", assumed the administrator, highlighting the creation of sports and nutritional prescription centres, available to all the inhabitants of Matosinhos.
In the opening session, yesterday at 21 hours, at the Salão Nobre da Câmara Municipal de Matosinhos, the speakers were Ana Catarina Mendes, Luísa Salgueiro, José Maia, professor at the Faculdade de Desporto da Universidade do Porto and André Seabra, from the Portuguese Football Federation, moderated by journalist Manuel Queiroz.