The second stage of events under the Athletics of the Future Program, organized by the Niquelândia Runners’ Club (ACN) in partnership with Votorantim Metais, was held on Saturday (September 17) with races in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters and 800 meters (male and female categories), along with competitions between parents and students (divided into beginners and athletes who are already members of the project). According to the president of the ACN, Gilson Silvério Bastos, the outstanding female was the young sprinter Larissa Soares. She won the 100 and 400 meters, and the 4 x 100 meters relay. One of the best athletes in Niquelândia and in the state, Larissa is preparing for an important competition in Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais state) on Saturday (October 8), which will bring together athletes from the states of Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, and the Federal District.

Among the newcomers in the project are two rising stars: Francieli Gomes dos Santos is 12 years old and studying in the Colonel Joaquim Taveira State College: she won the 800 meters. And Thaysllane Honorato da Silva, 12, was runner-up in the 400 meters. She studies at the Agostinho Nunes de Souza State College. According to Gilson, besides training a lot, Francieli and Thaysllane are thrilled by the support offered by Votorantim, which guarantees both excellent quality sportswear.

In the male category, the ACN also has excellent athletes who graced the event, thrilling the spectators and their parents. The outstanding performer was Mateus Mesquita, 15, who won the 100 meters and who is also ranked among the best in the state. The 800 meters was won by Gleidyson de Melo Gonçalves, 15, from the Father Valentim Rodrigues Municipal School. Gleidyson was in a tight race with the runner Mailton Barros from start to finish. Both have already qualified for Phase II of the School Olympics. Besides Votorantim Metais and the Votorantim Institute, the Niquelândia City Hall is a partner in the project. The event that day was also supported by commercial establishments from the city.

"Votorantim is our base, it is everything for us. We also have our headquarters in the center of Niquelândia through this sponsorship. Without the company, our organization would not exist. We were about to stop because of a lack of incentives, living only on donations. We put together the Athletics of the Future Program and presented it to the company, which now pays for our travel expenses to competitions, for snacks, for the athletes’ equipment, the teachers’ and coordinators’ salaries, "said the president of the ACN, who is the coordinator of the Athletics of the Future Project in the city.

(With information from Supercom / Niquelândia)

Source: Jornal Diário do Norte
Author: Euclides Oliveira