On Teachers’ Day, students take a tour of the Maracanã Stadium

A morning at the temple of soccer! On Wednesday (15), Teachers’ Day, IMPA Tech undergraduates took advantage of the school holiday to visit the Maracanã Stadium. The tour was divided into five stages, taking in the auditorium, changing rooms, pitch, mixed zone and historical exhibition, which houses important items from the history of Brazilian soccer. The visit was organized by the NAP (Psychopedagogical Support Center) and is part of the “Body and Mind in Motion” project.

“Football is a national passion. Ever since I was little, I grew up playing ball, watching games and cheering. Getting to know the Maracanã from the inside, seeing historical facts and the players’ marks is the realization of a dream. I’m delighted to be here today,” said student Herivelton Siqueira.

Throughout its history, the Maracanã has hosted two World Cup finals, in 1950 and 2014, and an edition of the Olympic Games in 2016. It has also been the setting for unforgettable concerts, such as Rock in Rio in 1991, with 1.5 million people. For decades, it was considered the largest stadium in the world: inaugurated in 1950, it had a capacity of more than 200,000 people; today, after renovations, it holds 78,000 fans.

Its official name is Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, but the nickname “Maracanã” comes from the river that passes nearby, the Rio Maracanã. The word comes from the Tupi language and means “like a rattle”, in reference to the sound emitted by local birds known as maracanãs, relatives of parrots.

Even those students who don’t follow the sport on a daily basis enjoyed the tour. “I don’t follow soccer very much, but I really enjoyed seeing the stadium and I made a lot of memories for my father and grandfather. It was great to see the historical part of the Maracanã, and the view from the pitch is incredible,” said student Ryan Kevin.

In the collection area, the youngsters see items from players who have made their mark on the stadium’s history, such as Pelé, Garrincha and Zico. Classic shirts, various balls and boots that scored decisive goals are part of the exhibition.

For Ryan, IMPA Tech’s program of cultural activities is one of the key differentiators of the degree. “As well as being a great leisure option, the outings broaden our horizons. We get out of the field of mathematics and technology and get to know cultural and historical places,” he said.

In addition to visiting the stadium, sport is present in other extracurricular activities, such as yoga classes and physical activities, lectures on integral health and participation in street races.

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