Maura Ponce de Leon - Extra\ maurap@extra.inf.br\

One day shy of completing 90 years managing Flamengo's bankrupt Olympic sport, marketing specialist João Henrique Areias packs his bags to leave the club, taking with him a sense of accomplishment. After all, despite the imminent demise of Flamengo's gymnastics and basketball, in three months he spearheaded an effort that raised over R$1 million to save both sports.

Yesterday, another endorsement was confirmed for the South American champion basketball team: the Macaé City Hall, which will invest R$400 to host the Brazilian Championship playoff games. "The secret is to go out and knock on businesses' doors. We've secured good support, which will cover the basketball team's debts by the end of the Brazilian Championship," explained Areias, who serves as the club's vice president of Olympic sports until tomorrow.

Flamengo has been raising around R$100 per month from the sale of basketball jerseys. Last week, it announced a sponsorship that brought in another R$400. Together, the funds will reach R$1,2 million, enough to cover salaries until the end of the season in June, including arrears from March and April, as well as bonuses due. "The work was excellent. We hope Areias will continue to provide us with consulting services. Our goal is to have a professional management model," said acting president Delair Dumbrosck.

The Brazilian league's top-ranked basketball team plays against the home team on Friday in Brasília. The final game of the second half, on the 13th, against Minas Gerais, will be in Macaé.

Gymnastics\ The R$80 monthly funding from the Niterói city government for gymnastics — also negotiated by Areias — will be released in the next few days, when the statute for the institute set up by the athletes is ready.\