TERESINA – Over 650 athletes started last Sunday 14 April, in Teresina (PI), the disputes of the Northern and Northeastern regional stage of the University Sports League 2013. Around 800 participants, including athletes, coaches, officials and work teams are involved in the event.
Teams from Ceará, Pará, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Amazonas, Amapá, Alagoas, Bahia, Maranhão and Piauí compete in tournaments of volleyball, futsal, handball and basketball of the University Sports League looking for a place in the finals which will take place in Cuiabá (MT) in May.
The Northern and Northeastern regional stage registered a participation record: there are 54 teams enrolled in the tournament. Since the beginning of regional disputes, the number of teams entered in the event has increased. In Maceió (AL) in 2010, the inaugural edition of the North and Northeast Regionals, 36 teams entered. In Natal (RN), in 2011, 52 teams. Belém (PA), in 2012, registered 42 teams entered. And in Teresina (PI), this year, there are 54 teams.
“These numbers demonstrate the growth and consolidation of the Brazilian University Sports League and the interest of the education institutions to participate in our events”, said Luciano Cabral, CBDU President.
The North and Northeast Regionals of the Brazilian University League officially opens the calendar of competitions of the Brazilian University Sport season. This year, CBDU expects to realize thirteen tournaments: futsal, handball, volleyball, basketball, judo, taekwondo, karate, beach volleyball, chess, basketball 3×3, rugby seven’s, soccer, tennis, table tennis, beach games and the Brazilian University Games.
(Source: Polyanna Padua, CBDU Press Officer)