The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has officially inaugurated the Football Development Center in Mato Grosso do Sul, marking a significant step in promoting youth football in the region. The ceremony took place on Thursday morning, November 3, in Campo Grande, with CBF president Samir Xaud and Estevão Petrállas, the president of the Mato Grosso do Sul Football Federation (FFMS), leading the event. This center is the first of its kind in the Central-West region of Brazil, designed to foster football development at the grassroots level.
During the opening ceremony, both Xaud and Petrállas expressed their enthusiasm for the new facility. Xaud emphasized the center's potential to transform football in Mato Grosso do Sul, highlighting its role in supporting local talent and enhancing the overall quality of the sport in the area. Petrállas echoed these sentiments, referring to the Development Centers as vital tools for promoting citizenship and providing opportunities for the youth in the state.
Speaking to CBF TV, Xaud shared his joy at inaugurating the eighth Football Development Center since he took office, underscoring the importance of such facilities in nurturing the next generation of footballers. Petrállas expressed gratitude to the attendees, including local authorities and football club presidents, for their support and commitment to revitalizing football in the region.
The Mato Grosso do Sul center is part of a broader initiative by the CBF to establish Development Centers across Brazil, particularly in states that did not host World Cup matches in 2014. Since the project was revitalized in July of last year, several centers have already been launched in states such as Rondônia, Tocantins, Amapá, Sergipe, Santa Catarina, Espírito Santo, and Piauí, with another center under construction in Goiás.
Following the inauguration, around one hundred children participated in a Football Festival, showcasing the center's immediate impact on the community. The event highlighted the center's commitment to engaging local youth and promoting football as a means of personal and athletic development.
FIFA was represented at the ceremony by Rafael Arias, head of FIFA’s regional office for South America, who expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the new Development Center. Arias noted that the inauguration of these centers contributes significantly to the growth of football in Brazil, allowing more children to benefit from structured training and development opportunities.
Funded by the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 Legacy Fund, the Development Centers are equipped with modern facilities, including a synthetic grass field that meets FIFA Quality standards, locker rooms for teams and referees, medical and administrative areas, and stands for spectators. These centers are designed to host various events, including amateur and professional championships, youth tournaments, and training sessions for coaches and referees, thereby serving as a comprehensive hub for football development.
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