City government launches the project "Rio: Capital of Women's Football".

The Rio: Capital of Women's Football project will bring the sport to ten Olympic Villages, impacting 500 girls aged 10 to 15. - Beatriz Gimenes/SMEL

In 2027, Rio will be one of the host cities for the Women's World Cup, and the Maracanã stadium has already been confirmed as the venue for the grand final. With just over a year to go before the event, the City Hall wants to transform the city into a national hub for the sport. This Tuesday (March 3rd), the project "Rio: Capital of Women's Football" was launched, which will bring the sport to ten Olympic Villages, impacting 500 girls aged 10 to 15.

The launch took place at the Apolinho Olympic Village in Gamboa, one of the facilities included in the project. The Olympic Villages also include Doutor Sócrates in Guaratiba; Oscar Schmidt in Santa Cruz; Mestre André in Padre Miguel; Alemão; Dias Gomes in Deodoro; Clara Nunes in Acari; Nilton Santos on Ilha do Governador; Artur da Távola in Vila Isabel; and Dicró in Ramos. Classes begin in April. The initiative is led by former Brazilian national team player Duda Luizelli, the creator of the ABC da Bola project, which has been promoting civic education through football for 13 years.

To inspire the students and honor those who paved the way in the sport, five godmothers were chosen, each responsible for accompanying two Olympic Villages. The guests are Marisa, the first captain of the women's national team; Fanta, who represented Brazil in three World Cups, in 1991, 1995 and 1999; and Fia, Danda and Pelezinha, who were part of the Brazilian team in the first edition of the Women's World Championship, in 1991.

The project goes beyond the classroom and includes educational campaigns to combat violence and discrimination, lectures, psychological support, and actions aimed at the students' families, strengthening their protection networks.

According to the municipal secretary of Sports, Guilherme Schleder, the program looks to the future while still valuing the legacy of the pioneers.

– Rio: Capital of Women's Football is a project that expands girls' access to the sport and strengthens knowledge about women's football. With the centers in the Olympic Villages, we will expand the calendar of games, tournaments, and leagues. This is one of the City Hall's actions for the 2027 World Cup, but it is not limited to the event. It will continue as part of the ongoing work to strengthen the sport. Events such as the Zico Women's Cup brought together more than two thousand athletes in 80 teams this year.