Evaldo Becker is the first honoree of the Walter D'Agostino Award
Launch of the Walter D'Agostino Award highlights athletes committed to Social Responsibility
By Leonardo Pimenta - in
The Walter D'Agostino Award for Social Responsibility and Citizenship was officially launched at an event held in the Salão Nobre of the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. Organized by the Department of Social Responsibility and Citizenship, the event marked the inauguration of an annual award dedicated to recognizing athletes who stand out for their social impact and community engagement.
The award honors Walter D'Agostino, a historic figure at Flamengo, recognized for his dedication not only to the club but also to society. In the first edition, the honoree was rower Evaldo Mathias Becker, who became known for forgoing an important competition to help flood victims in Rio Grande do Sul, demonstrating solidarity and social commitment.
The event featured several activities that reinforced the pillars of ethics and sustainability. Highlights included a roundtable discussion on integrity and sustainability, as well as lectures on the social responsibilities of sport and ethical management.
During the event, club officials emphasized the significance and values represented by the award. Flamengo President Rodolfo Landim celebrated the award's choice of Walter D'Agostino, emphasizing the honor's fairness: "Naming this award after Walter D'Agostino is a fitting recognition of a great Flamengo fan who helped the club establish itself and demonstrate to society his contribution to the common good. It's a tribute that recognizes our social responsibility."
General Vice President Rodrigo Dunshee emphasized that Walter D'Agostino's legacy goes beyond sporting results: "The legacy Walter left is very important, as this award considers not only sporting results, but also ethics, integrity, and what these athletes do beyond the competition. We need to spread the idea that sport is not just about winning, but also about respect, solidarity, and ethical values."
Kátia Alonso, Vice President of Social Responsibility and Citizenship, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the impact of wearing the Flamengo jersey, whether as an athlete, employee, or executive: "We want to reinforce the importance of wearing the Flamengo jersey, whether as an athlete, employee, director, or president, and what it means for all of us. Furthermore, sustainability, so highly valued by Walter, is essential. Flamengo must be a leader in this movement, thinking about the planet and the future."
Evaldo Mathias Becker spoke about the honor of receiving the award: "I am very happy to receive the first Walter D'Agostino award. It was a recognition the club gave me because of the actions the entire community, especially Remo, took there in Rio Grande do Sul. And I'm very happy with all this recognition."
Other members of the Social Responsibility Department were honored for their contributions: Camila Nascimento, Amanda Lima, Bruno de Sousa, Letícia Chagas and Renata Gazé.
The event not only celebrated exemplary careers, but also reinforced Flamengo's commitment to building a more just, ethical, and sustainable society, demonstrating that the impact of sport goes far beyond achievements on the field.