Social Project sponsored by CEMIG and J. Mendes will benefit young people and teenagers, from 7 to 17 years old, for 12 months.

Transforming the reality of children and adolescents from Santa Luzia, Betim and Barão de Cocais through sport is one of the current goals of the NGO Ajudôu. With the Cidade Olímpica social project, which began its activities in September, 480 children from these municipalities have the opportunity to take free judo, karate, futsal and volleyball classes after school hours. 

Ajudôu is a Non-Governmental Organization, recognized for its public utility at the municipal and state levels. It was founded in 1995, in Timóteo-MG, and has already served more than 30 thousand children and adolescents with free judo and other sports classes. Currently, Ajudôu is in more than 30 cities in 4 Brazilian states. 

In Santa Luzia, the project has 120 places for karate classes. In Betim, children have the possibility to choose between judo classes (120 places), futsal and volleyball (120 places). In Barão de Cocais, volleyball and futsal classes are available (120 places). Cidade Olímpica provides a series of benefits for municipalities that go beyond sports classes, as students strengthen their sense of community, increase their social circle and learn about volunteering. 

Therefore, the development of social sports projects across the country are of paramount importance, because when young people have contact with the concepts and virtues of Ajudôu, they have the possibility to form their character and have a different future, otherwise they would have if idle at home or on the streets. 

Registrations open for classes at the Olympic City

The Olympic City Project is sponsored by CEMIG and J.Mendes, encouraged by the Federal Sports Incentive Law and supported by the municipalities of Santa Luzia, Betim and Barão de Cocais. Registration is still open for 480 children and adolescents (male and female), between 7 and 17 years old, to practice judo, karate, futsal and volleyball classes for 1 year. 

Full uniforms 

The student’s self-esteem is developed during all stages of the project, an example is the uniform kit. In judo and karate, students receive a brand new shirt, kimono and belt. In futsal and volleyball classes, they receive a shirt and shorts. The delivery of materials ensures that all students at Cidade Olímpica attend classes with equality, regardless of the financial conditions of the families.

Protocol for Resumption of Sports Activities at Ajudôu

To carry out the assistance, without putting children and teachers at risk, the Protocol for Resumption of Sports Activities at Ajudôu in the context of Covid-19.  

The Ajudôu manual aims to pass general health safety rules against Covid-19 according to the reality of each location, that is, sport classes will be adapted according to the Ajudôu guidelines, which can be revised. Below are some example guidelines: 

• Minimum distance required during classes (1 student every 2 m²);
• All students must start and finish activities at the same time and leave in an orderly manner, without contact and crowding; 
• End of classes 10 minutes before to avoid crowding with the class of the next class;