São Paulo and New York: partners in hoops (+ video)

[by Gustavo CARDOSO] - You’ve heard it right, and from what took place last Friday in São Paulo, that is how things are shaping up: in an event that put together the São Paulo Sports Bureau, Maritaca, an NGO, LUB, a streetball league in Rio, and PSAL, the NYC public school athletic league, a letter of intention was signed between both cities in order to develop streetball in São Paulo schools, and capoeira, the Brazilian martial art, in the schools of the American metropolis.

The Sports Partner Cities program will focus on disseminating streetball and capoeira, which will be used to promote the exchange and the formulation of new public policies to the development of urban culture. The agreement accounts for exchange of visits of athletes and coaches from São Paulo and New York, as well as workshops, camps, training, and sports competitions. The project was designed by Maritacas and LUB, the latter responsible for the technical aspects of this partnership as far as “urban culture” goes.

One of the coordinators is former Brazil NT player Marcos Antonio Abdalla Leite, most commonly known as "Marquinhos". He was member of the 1978 FIBA WC Bronze Medal squad, and has also participated in three Olympic Games, and four Pan American Games. "Through basketball we can promote social inclusion, fighting violence and changing the culture in relation to education and sports”, explains Marquinhos.

Filó Filho, LUB’s president, also believes in the power of basketball as a means of change in inner cities. He was responsible for the first street basketball league back in 2004 in Rio, and in 2005 in São Paulo. LUB has developed into a well established organization that provides infra structure and knowledge sharing to kids and teenagers from lower income classes mainly in Rio.

Part of the program that started last Friday is scheduled to continue in the last weeks of May, when Nate Archibald, the former NBA legend, will be in São Paulo to share some of his knowledge in the game, as well as the ways in which street basketball can provide new opportunities to underpriviledged kids.

“Magic” Paula, which was also on hand at the event, believes that the idea is great, but wants to see it become more than just an intention. “We are always hoping for change”, says the 1994 FIBA WC champion. In her opinion, sports within the school system, are the best way to develop athletes, but also citizens. Brazil has relied on a club system to develop sports, and that has always enabled the country to take advantage of its potential in sports.

Check out this video report where coaches, teachers, and some of the people mentioned above, had their say.