The development of athletes is always a focus of Flamengo's youth categories, from under-6 to under-20. The field and the ball have their importance, but it is through social awareness that children and adolescents move towards becoming agents of change in their own lives. This Thursday (16), the Human Development Department carried out an action on bullying, for 22 athletes in the under-10 category, at CT George Helal.

The children's interest alone demonstrated the success of the activity, designed as a competition, which began with a question-and-answer session on the topic. To win a turn, one boy from each of the two participating teams had to press the button first. The athletes answered the questions correctly and proved to be knowledgeable about the subject, speaking knowledgeably about terms related to bullying, such as aggressor, victim, defender, and bystander, for example.

This proposal is part of the "Respect Your Father" Project, which aims to encourage critical awareness of social issues that extend beyond the playing field. This encouragement is fundamental to improving athletes' relationships within society, leading them to understand how their actions affect others and thus become more empathetic and collaborative.

"We carry out several activities that demonstrate to the athletes, in a practical way, how their attitudes can influence the lives of others and the importance of respecting people without discrimination, judgment, or inappropriate remarks. The theme reflects what happens outside the club, which is why it becomes essential to bring activities that address social issues," says Patrícia, one of those responsible for the activity alongside Amanda Caicó and Larissa Lira, social workers.