Approximately two thousand children and teenagers participated in various social projects organized by the Mato Grosso Military Police in Cuiabá and Várzea Grande. These initiatives focus on sports activities and are present in most of the institution’s battalions and special units, with the aim of generating significant results in terms of victories and life changes for those youth.
Military Police projects bring society closer to public security, as demonstrated by the Special Operations Battalion (Bope). Since 2010, this unit has been a pioneer in the implementation of sports practices for children and teenagers. In the last 14 years, the Judo Bope program has grown, becoming a leader in the discipline, currently serving 275 children and adolescents.
In more than a decade of the program, Judo Bope students have achieved many national titles and participated in annual competitions organized by the unit. The project also has the support of the Secretary of State for Sports and Leisure (Secel). This year, Bope also launched soccer classes for children, which already serve more than 50 students in the Capital.
The commander of Bope, Lieutenant Colonel Frederico Correa Lima Lopes, emphasized the importance of these social projects as one of the ways to develop a link between the security forces and crime prevention.
“We must give space and promote all possible social projects. Studies show that this method works as an intervention in the field against crime. After all, beyond the obvious and repressive actions, we also see in these projects preventive methods in a humanitarian way, emphasizing its importance and the participation of people in policing activities while supporting all good actions, ” said Lieutenant Colonel Frederico.
The Mobile Tactical Patrol Battalion (Rotam), located in the Dom Aquino neighborhood of Cuiabá, also presents one of the most sustainable projects in the Metropolitan Region, the Rotam Jiu Jitsu program, which has been operating for 12 years. Currently, 300 youths train daily on tatami mats installed in a dedicated space within the unit’s barracks. The places are highly requested by children from the Capital and the towns of Várzea Grande and Santo Antônio do Leverger.
Rotam Jiu Jitsu athletes are proud of the amazing results, such as the 21-year-old fighter Felipe Leonardo, who this month won the European Championships in the discipline held in Rome, Italy. In addition, many athletes have won international and national competitions, bringing medals and project recognition.
“Because I’ve been here from the beginning, I understand the importance and transformative power of sport in the lives of these children, taking them away from the often inevitable path of crime and giving them the opportunity to fulfill their dreams to be athletes. With the support of the Military and the State Police, we can do this beautiful work,” emphasized Third Sergeant Victor Paz, one of the trainers of the Rotam project.
The Battalion also serves 300 young people at the Grêmio Rotam soccer school, which offers classes to groups from eight years of age. Classes are held in the Coophema neighborhood of Cuiabá and the project was established in 2018, revealing unique talents such as 14-year-old player Sara Coelho, who plays in the youth categories of the São Paulo Football Club. Likewise, young talents such as Daniel “Pikachu”, who played in the youth teams of Coritiba, Robson Júnior of Mga Taga Corinto, and Nikolas Nunes of Flamengo, appeared in the categories of beginners.
In Várzea Grande, the 4th Battalion of the Military Police has been standing since 2018 with its 4th Bravo Lutas program, which focuses on the practice of martial arts. Currently, 140 students between the ages of seven and 17 are part of the project, participating in forms of Jiu Jitsu, Karate, Judo and Wrestling. The project is known for hosting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Lieutenant Colonel Jean Araújo de Lima, commander of the 4th PM Battalion, reinforced the social role of the project and the provision of opportunities for young people in vulnerable situations.
“The main goal of the 4th Bravo Lutas project is to promote sports practice as a powerful tool for the socio-emotional development of our children and teenagers. We know that through sports, they are not not only learn physical skills, but also important values such as discipline, respect, cooperation and perseverance,” the commander stated.
Also in the municipality, the Task Force of the 2nd Regional Command offers the Jiu Jitsu FT II project to 50 children per week in a dedicated space at the headquarters of the unit in the Cristo Rei region.
Back in Cuiabá, about 200 children living in the Greater CPA region are part of the “Growing” project of the 3rd PM Battalion. These young participants benefit from boxing, capoeira, karate and soccer classes.
In addition, the 1st PM Battalion served 200 young people in the “Fighting for the Future” project, offering Jiu Jitsu and Karate lessons. The classes were taught at the headquarters of the 1st Battalion in the neighborhood of Porto, and also at community police bases in the neighborhoods of Jardim Europa, Boa Esperança and Lixeira.
Serving in the western region of Cuiabá, the 10th PM Battalion presented the “Xás Crianças” project for 450 children and teenagers, covering various modalities such as Karate, Capoeira and Soccer. A highlight of this project is the initiative exclusively dedicated to women’s football, which currently serves more than 40 young participants.
The general commander of the PMMT, Colonel Alexandre Corrêa Mendes, emphasized the importance of the Military Police in the community, encouraging young people to have positive practices, changing realities and offering opportunities for success for these athletes and their families.
“Part of the role of public safety is to connect the community and offer opportunities for new experiences that are consistent with acts of kindness. Our social projects are encouraged not only in the Capital, but throughout our State, which provides citizenship, health, good values. and, therefore, keep them away from the path of crime, which together promote a better and safer society for all of us,” concluded the commander general.
All social projects offered by the Military Police are completely free. In addition, admissions for new students can be made throughout the year with the consent of parents and/or legal guardians and presentation of all the documentation required for the management of each project.