BJC Is Delivered the Pan-American Judo Centre by the Government of Bahia and Sports Ministry
There are eight days left until the final two years before the opening of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and now the Brazilian judo has got its new home. This Monday, July 28th, the judo athletes were delivered the Pan American Judo Center (PJC), the largest training center from the American continent and one of the largest worldwide. Located on Ipitanga Beach from Lauro de Freitas, Bahia state, PJC is the first establishment built with funds from Brazil Awards plan whose goal is to prepare the country for the forthcoming Olympics. The program is essential in order to be in Top Ten of the medals chart.
The attendees to the event, great names of the Brazilian judo history, praised the initiative. World university champion in 1978, Oswaldo Simões celebrated the PJC’s delivery, stating that “this is the athletes’ and judo leaders’ achievement with the support of three bodies of the Brazilian government”. Rogério Sampaio, Olympic champion at Barcelona 1992 Games, said that “twenty years ago we could not imagine the building of such a particular judo center. It’s a historic moment for our sport and its real impact will be felt very soon” when referring to the forthcoming Olympic Games.
The Sports Minister, Aldo Rebelo, and the Governor of Bahia, Jaques Wagner, signed an Agreement of Assignment regarding the use of Training Center by the Brazilian Judo Confederation (BJC). These premises will gather on site Brazilian teams as well as foreign athletes. This place will be the reference judo center across the continent and will also host competitions and contribute to the technical improvement of judo professionals. Additionally, it can serve as acclimation means for the delegations who will participate in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. This November the Pan-American Judo Center will host the International Challenge between Brazil and Italy.
"The project meets all the International Judo Federation’s requirements. PJC is for sure a milestone in both Brazilian and American history. Today a new cycle begins, “said the BJC’s president, Paulo Wanderley Teixeira.
The Pan American Judo Centre, which will be part of the National Training Network, is provided with the last generation judo installations: an air-conditioned gym for training and competitions, accommodation for up to 72 athletes, a 200-people auditorium, a gym, a restaurant, a semi-olympic pool, a 18x36 m2 sports court, a meeting support and a grandstand seating for 1.900 fans. The building, begun in August 2013, was invested R$ 43.2 million, R$ 18.3 million coming from the state of Bahia, including land expropriation and R$ 19.8 million from the Union. BJC contributed R$ 5.1 million for the executive project of the building and for the partial purchase of equipment and furniture. Moreover, the confederation will count on the support provided by the Ministry of Sports for hiring technical staff and purchasing more sports equipment and furniture.
“August 5th will be the day that will mark the two year-period left before the opening of the Olympics, and the Brazilian sport starts enjoying the legacy of the event," stated the National Secretary of Performance of the Ministry of Sports, Ricardo Leyser. He explained that in order to achieve the goal of being in Top Ten of the medals chart, the Brazilian teams receive support in order to be able to participate in the major international competitions, coaches and other specialized professionals are being hired, first class equipment is purchased and " training centers similar to the best ones worldwide are being structured, so that our athletes have the same training conditions as their competitors and compete with real chances to win”, he added.
Apart from preparing athletes, the Pan American Center will also be used for a social project implemented in Lauro de Freitas with BJC’s support. Its goal is bringing each year into the judo field 200 children and young people from public schools in Salvador and Lauro de Freitas, and thus strengthening the citizenship and discovering new talents.
"Judo can shape the human being. The athletes are disciplined and trustworthy. I am proud that judo is one of the sports that bring the highest number of medals in the Olympics. Judo is an element of education and character formation. This center is a sports temple. I have no doubt that this is an investment for the future, “the Governor said.
