AkzoNobel, Cruyff Foundation Give Sporting Chance to Disabled Children in Brazil

Children with a visual impairment can now enjoy playing sports at a Special Cruyff Court in Brazil opened by Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, Edith Schippers. The new facility has been painted with products supplied by AkzoNobel.

Funded by the Cruyff Foundation, the new court is located in Rio de Janerio on the premises of Urece, an organization that gives blind and visually impaired people the opportunity to take part in sporting activities.

“I am very proud to be here and open this Special Cruyff Court as a demonstration of our common sports culture,” said Minister Schippers, who was officially opening the 38th Cruyff Court outside the Netherlands.

Added Anderson Dias, chairman of Urece: “This playground fits in with our strategy to develop sports for blind and disabled children. We are very grateful to The Johan Cruyff Foundation for selecting Urece to realize the first Special Cruyff Court in Brazil.”

Founded by famous Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff, the Cruyff Foundation gives thousands of children all over the world access to safe sporting facilities. More than 200 have been established to date, including one in São Paulo. Special Cruyff Courts are adapted to meet the needs of children with disabilities and include equipment that improves sensory perception through sound/feeling/movement.

AkzoNobel is a preferred supplier to the Cruyff Foundation and has supplied paint for projects in various countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, Argentina and India.

“At AkzoNobel, we believe that just as color can transform a home or a city, sports can also transform a child’s life for the better,” said Daniel Campos, Managing Director of AkzoNobel’s Decorative Paints business in Latin America.

“We are proud that our partnership with the Cruyff Foundation helps to make children’s lives more liveable and inspiring by giving them more access to sports. Cruyff Courts help give energy to a city and enable us to give back to local communities in many of our key markets.”

Located in the Nova Iguaçu area of the city, Urece started as an amateur sports organization for the rehabilitation of people with a disability, but has since gone on to develop gold medal-winning Paralympic athletes.