Brazil Gears Up for Major Inclusive Sports Festivals in Ubatuba and Anápolis
Brazil prepares inclusive paralympic sports festivals in Anápolis and Ubatuba to foster integration and participation for people with disabilities.
- • Festival Paralímpico on September 19 in Anápolis with registration open until September 15.
- • Festival Inclusão em Movimento on October 3 in Ubatuba, expecting 215 participants mostly with disabilities.
- • Events feature adapted sporting activities such as parabadminton, sitting volleyball, and canoeing.
- • Both festivals prioritize inclusion by reserving spots for non-disabled participants and promoting health initiatives.
Key details
Brazil is set to host two significant inclusive sports festivals this month, aimed at promoting sports participation and inclusion for people with disabilities. The Festival Paralímpico in Anápolis will take place on September 19 at the Ginásio Internacional Newton de Faria, with registrations open until September 15. Targeting children and youth aged 7 to 23 with a range of disabilities—including hearing, physical, intellectual, and visual impairments, as well as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down syndrome—the event will feature parabadminton, paralympic athletics, and paralympic judo. Notably, 20% of the spots are reserved for participants without disabilities to encourage integration. Carla Lima Corrêa, Anápolis's first lady, will be the festival’s godmother, highlighting its community spirit.
Following this, the Festival Inclusão em Movimento is scheduled for October 3 in Ubatuba. Organized by municipal departments of Education, Health, and Sports and Leisure, the event expects 215 participants—approximately 80% with disabilities—and will offer activities such as adapted surfing, Hawaiian canoeing, athletics, jiu-jitsu, banana boat rides, and sitting volleyball. Brazilian Sitting Volleyball Team athletes will showcase talent, and local figure Gustavo, who began in the 2019 festival, has become a Paulista champion and internationally recognized athlete. The festival also includes health initiatives like free dental care and fitness education, underscoring a commitment to holistic well-being.
Both festivals emphasize sports as a vehicle for social, physical, and emotional development, with strong volunteer involvement and multidisciplinary support teams ensuring safety and inclusion. According to Fábio Campana, coordinator of School Physical Education, these events create concrete opportunities for people with disabilities to discover their potential and enhance their participation in various life domains, reinforcing that inclusion is a collective effort.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Event dates
Sources report different event dates for festivals
ubatuba.sp.gov.br
"The Festival Inclusão em Movimento will take place on October 3."
anapolis.go.gov.br
"The festival is scheduled for September 19."
Why this matters: One source states the Festival Inclusão em Movimento is on October 3, while the other reports the Festival Paralímpico is on September 19. This discrepancy is significant as it affects the timing and scheduling of these events for potential participants.