Clubs offer partnership for the management of the João Havelange Olympic Stadium
From news agencies
GLOBOESPORTE.COM
The administration of Engenhão could be held by Botafogo or Flamengo.
Botafogo was the only football club to present an offer to City Hall this Wednesday to manage the João Havelange Municipal Olympic Stadium (Engenhão) for 20 years.
The envelope was delivered this morning to the Municipal Finance Department. The basis of the proposal, however, is not yet known, as the analysis of the documents is pending the Municipal Audit Court (TCM)'s completion of its review of the bidding process. The TCM may decide to continue the process or require changes that may or may not require a new bidding process.
Botafogo president Bebeto de Freitas was accompanied by Flamengo president Márcio Braga at the proposal presentation. The two executives discussed the possibility of forming a partnership to jointly manage the sports complex. Negotiations between Botafogo and Flamengo, Márcio Braga revealed, had already been going on for six months.
Bebeto de Freitas ruled out the possibility of a partnership with Fluminense. Fluminense, which had an interest in managing the stadium, withdrew its offer, citing legal doubts about the legality of the bid.
- Botafogo and Flamengo are together because we have the same problems and the solutions are similar - says Bebeto.
Márcio Braga admitted that the association with Botafogo is a sort of Plan B regarding the Arena da Gávea—the leisure development the club plans to build at its headquarters, which includes a shopping mall and soccer field. The project has already obtained all necessary permits and is threatened with failure due to a lawsuit challenging the use of the space for commercial purposes rather than the exclusive use of sports facilities.
"It could be called Plan B even if the legal situation is resolved. Construction of our project will take at least 30 months," explains Márcio Braga.
The proposal for the Engenhão stadium was submitted on behalf of Companhia Botafogo. According to Bebeto, it's a partnership between the club, a European company specializing in stadium management, and a bank headquartered abroad. The club president declined to elaborate on his plans for the Engenhão stadium, nor on the offer made to City Hall. He promised to present the project within 30 days of the bidding process being approved.