GOIÂNIA – With a remarkable Opening Ceremony, the 61st Brazilian University Games (JUBs 2013), had their official start last Thursday night, 24 October. Around 1,000 people, student-athletes, coaches, officials and Organizing Committee gathered together at SESI Ferreira Pacheco Club, in the city of Goiânia, Goiás to celebrate the event.
The delegations’ parade, saw the representatives from all 27 Brazilian states enter the arena behind their flag bearer. The musical group Catira Filhos de Aparecida, cheered up and welcomed the audience and competitors, with a sample of traditional Brazilian country music.
Brazilian Minister of Sport Aldo Rebelo
The Brazilian Minister of Sport Aldo Rebelo attended the event and had the honour to officially open the National Student Games. “It´s a great satisfaction to be present at the opening of such a competition. Here at the JUBs, the participants are athletes and students, a celebration of Sport and Education working together”, the Minister commented.
The vice-governor of the state of Goiás, José Figuerêdo and representatives of the Goiânia Mayor and National Sports Secretary, also attended the ceremony.
For the first time in JUBs history, the Opening Ceremony was broadcasted live on CBDU website cbdu.org.br and via the same link, sports fans will be able to watch live six hours of transmission of the main competitions of the Games from 25 October to 2 November.
CBDU President & FISU Vice-President Luciano Cabral
CBDU President and FISU Vice-President Luciano Cabral closed the event, reminding everybody that Brasília is a bidding city for the 30th Summer Universiade in 2019 and passed on the key of JUBs to João Alves, Mayor of Aracaju city (Sergipe), host city of the next University Brazilian Games in 2014.
JUBs 2013
JUBs 2013 will take place in Goiânia city, Goiás, from 24 October to 2 November. Around 3,000 athletes will compete in ten different sports, i.e. four team sports (futsal, volleyball, basketball and handball), four individual sports (athletics, chess, swimming and judo) and two new optional sports (basketball 3×3 and beach volleyball).
This year’s edition, JUBs is being connected for the first time to all the social media platforms, i.e. facebook CBDUbrasil, twitter @cbdu, youtube CBDU TV and Instagram CBDU.
Goiânia is also a candidate city to host the 2016 World University Futsal Championship. The decision will be revealed by FISU on 9 November.
(Source: CBDU – photos by Thiago Parmalat)