As many as 1,500 can take part in the “Athletes of the future” project

They get training in football, basketball, handball, volleyball or mini-soccer. With the help of the Continental plant in Várzea Paulista, as many as 1,500 boys and girls in that Brazilian city can move a big step closer to their dream of being “tomorrow’s athletes”. And as part of the deal, the kids and teens between six and 17 also learn something about the value of team work and solidarity, about responsibility, discipline and joint commitment. Indeed, in the “PAF – Programa Atleta do Futuro” project, sports are tied into topics like ethics, responsibility for the environment, preventative health care and cultural diversity.

PAF is a project of Serviço Social da Indústria (SESI) – an institute of the Brazilian industrial association focused on the area of social integration. SESI coordinates the project, trains the teachers and provides learning material, sportswear and refreshments during class. Continental and the municipality sponsor PAF. Domingos Ruiz, Human Resources manager at the plant, explains why Continental is so committed to this project: “PAF is a fantastic project that will give children and young people the opportunity to spend their spare time with sports.” As Ruiz sees it, Continental also bears a certain social responsibility for the people at the company’s location. And, he continues, PAF prepares young people for their role as citizens – but not only that. He is convinced that the project provides a real chance to discover young athletic talent.

And this is what nine-year-old Felipe da Silva Pacanaro, is hoping, as he attends mini-soccer and basketball practice. “I want to get really good and then play in the Brazilian all-star team,” he explains. His father, Gilmar Pacanaro dos Santos, an operator in the machine area at Continental, encourages him. He is convinced that sport training is good for his son's personal development. In his opinion, the son learns to accept responsibility, to act together with others and to abide by and accept certain rules. Gilmar Pacanaro dos Santos  was about to sign Felipe up on another company’s team in the neighboring town of  Jundiaí – but then he heard about PAF: “Now I am happy that Felipe is training here and hope that he can soon play for our city, Várzea Paulista.”