Brazilian NGO Announces Partnership with Tottenham Hotspur

"I also think it’s just the beginning, because many other doors will open for us."

The Tottenham Hotspur Foundation has signed a partnership to run a project with URECE, a Brazilian NGO dedicated to promote sports for visually impaired (VI) people.

The agreement with the Premier League club provides for the exchange of experiences in developing the VI football on the two continents.

Attending the event were British vice-prime minister Nick Clegg, the British sport minister Jeremy Hunt, the British ambassador in Brazil, the mayor of Rio Eduardo Paes, the President of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (BPC) Andrews Parsons, and other officials.

"Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and one of the fastest-growing economies globally. It has historical ties with the United Kingdom and the shared interests as host countries for the Olympic and Paralympic Games will serve to augment the connection between both countries," said Jeremy Hunt, British Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport.

The Tottenham Hotspur Foundation was in Brazil between 20 and 23 June to develop two projects in Rio de Janeiro, one of them with URECE Sports and Culture. The project aims maximize opportunities for visually impaired (VI) football players in socially disadvantaged areas in Rio.

In a second step, URECE will visit London to meet with other British football clubs, and give training workshops for VI footballers.

"Of course it is great news that URECE is being recognized for its work, and the excellence and quality that we developed. But I also think it’s just the beginning, because many other doors will open for us," said Gabriel Mayr, director of URECE .

URECE Sport and Culture is a non-profit association that is well-know for the development of pioneering initiatives that promote Paralympic Sports. For more information, visit their website on: www.urece.org.br