Uberlândia Unveils Ambitious 2026 Sports Program Expanding Opportunities Across Olympic and Paralympic Disciplines
Uberlândia's Prefeitura and Futel reveal comprehensive 2026 sports plans, expanding access to Olympic and Paralympic activities for over 18,000 participants.
- • Mayor Paulo Sérgio emphasizes Uberlândia's status as a sports and paradesport reference in Brazil.
- • Futel plans to increase participation and improve program quality for 2026.
- • Sports activities begin February 23, except football which resumes in March due to field maintenance.
- • More than 18,000 students enrolled in 22 sports disciplines in 2025, with offerings for ages six and up.
Key details
On February 4, 2026, the Prefeitura de Uberlândia, in collaboration with Futel, outlined expansive sports activity guidelines for the year during a key meeting with physical education professionals at Estádio Parque do Sabiá. Mayor Paulo Sérgio highlighted Uberlândia’s established reputation in both sports and parasports, praising the 2025 achievements of over 18,000 students enrolled across 22 sports. He stated, “Uberlândia has become a reference in sports and paradesport, not only in competitions but also in the social work carried out daily with children and adolescents.”
Futel’s director-general, Edson Zanatta, expressed ambitions to boost participant numbers and enhance program quality through 2026. Sports activities commencing from February 23, 2026, will be offered at 18 centers maintained by the municipality, covering numerous Olympic sports such as athletics and basketball, as well as Paralympic sports including goalball and parabadminton, catering to participants from age six onward. Football programs are scheduled to resume in March after field maintenance.
The Prefeitura’s commitment to sport development is further demonstrated by ongoing construction of additional sports centers. Futel’s approach combines social inclusion and athletic training, strengthening Uberlândia’s position as a prominent hub for diverse sport disciplines. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to accessible and quality physical education, aiming to further engage the community throughout 2026.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Number of students in sports programs
Sources report different numbers of students participating in sports programs in 2025.
ubatuba.sp.gov.br
"In 2025, approximately 4,500 students participated in these sports programs."
uberlandia.mg.gov.br
"In 2025, Futel reported over 18,000 enrolled students across 22 sports disciplines."
Why this matters: One source states approximately 4,500 students participated in 2025, while the other reports over 18,000 students. This significant difference affects the understanding of the scale and impact of the sports programs.