"Sport teaches us that in life we cannot just expect easy things. If we want to be successful in our life, in adult life, it is during this period that we have to learn, that we have to work, we have to sweat to achieve the goals we want. To be successful in life, it takes effort", considered João Lourenço.
In statements within the scope of the school sports marathon, the President of the Republic said that this initiative aimed to draw "society's attention to the need and importance of sport, the practice of sport in general, but, very specifically, that sport that is played in schools".
On the occasion, he defended the massification of school sports, to shape healthy young generations.
"There is professional sport, but if we skip this stage, which I consider extremely important – taking advantage of the opportunity when the child is at school, adding the practice of sport to normal education – we will also be contributing to the training of young people as we want, of young people with personalities forged from an early age", he considered, adding: "It is often said that sport forges people's personalities. And why? Because there are aspects of sport that are important for the rest of people's lives".
Thus, he recognized that sport teaches that in life it is necessary to 'sweat' to reach the desired goals.
"When we play any sport, as a general rule, we sweat, don't we? We sweat, we get stronger, we get tired, we get injuries and that's the only way, after 'x' amount of playing time, we can achieve victory, win the game, win the cup, win the championship... We only reach that moment of victory if until then we suffer a lot, if we dedicate ourselves, if we prepare, if we train persistently, before going to the challenge", he highlighted.
Furthermore, he considered that sport also has a social component. "Sport also teaches us that Man, in its broadest sense, is a sociable being. He is not alone in this world, he has to learn to live in a community, to live in a group, to reconcile his interests with the interests of others", said João Lourenço.
"So, in sports, that community is our team. Our team is our community and that's where we start to learn that it's only possible to win the game if we're not selfish, if we don't keep the ball to ourselves, if we do the pass for our teammate to score the goal, instead of me scoring the goal", he added.
According to the head of state, the same applies to life in society: "If we transpose this to society, it's the same thing. In society, we only serve that same society well if we know how to live in community, if we know how to work with our friend , with a schoolmate, a colleague at work, with a neighbor, anyway... if we know how to live in society, live in the community. Then, that's why school sports are so important".
João Lourenço also said that they will not allow "new schools to be built without having at least one sports court", considering that "the sports court at school is as important as the classroom that has desks".
The President of the Republic, who was also part of one of the teams that would compete, also pointed out that sport is "very important" for health, personality formation and "giving joy to the people".
"You saw when our football team performed well, in the last CAN, how the Angolans cheered; when other sports have given us joy, how the Angolans cheered. And this is very important for everyone's health, especially for the our mental health", he said, adding: "It increases our self-esteem as citizens of the same country, as Angolans".
According to a note from CIPRA, to which VerAngola had access, the teams, "representing several schools in the province of Luanda, competed in a festive and friendly atmosphere".
It is worth noting that, during the activity, the President of the Republic played chess with Daniela Cruz. According to the 13-year-old athlete, this was the second time she played with João Lourenço, whose match resulted in a draw.
"The first time I met the President it was easier, but now the President of the Republic has shown more strength. Chess is a thoughtful thing and I had to ask for a draw", she said, quoted by Angop.
